I recently interviewed an EDM artist who declared that the album was dead. Since dance music is centred on DJ culture, he said, fans and artists tend to cherry-pick their favourite songs from Beatport or iTunes, so the most business-effective way to release is through singles or EPs.

Whatever…

When a DJ or duo release a cohesive album of originals I consider it another ‘eff you’ to the olds (and youthful traitors) who say DJs aren’t musicians, they just press play. So props to Super8 & Tab for flying the flag and releasing an album which holds up in its own right, away from the flashing lights and sweaty bodies of a club.

Unusually in dance music, the vocal tracks on Empire (of which there are eight) follow strophic structure – for those playing at home, that’s verse/bridge/chorus, as opposed to the usual intro/build-up/drop. As a result the tracks work better in a variety of listening situations (no more waiting the first three minutes for something to happen other than kick drum), but may not have as much impact within a DJ set.

The opening track, Slow To Learn, features male vocalist Jan Burton and if you don’t like his style you’ll be frustrated with the album, as Burton gets an airing on four separate occasions. To me his voice is a bit Backstreet Boy – but for this track, and follower Empire, Burton executes catchy and emotional melodies (not always an easy combination) that are interwoven effortlessly with Super8 & Tab’s clean productions.

The Finnish twosome has admitted they took a long time in finding the right singers, and the perseverance paid off: vocalists for the most part provide complex and expressive melodies which enhance the character of each song they inhabit. The winner for me comes mid-album, in the form of Perfect Day featuring Alyna. Incredibly chilled pace, well-rounded, clean synth tones and a voice that feels like silk and flows like running water – this is the ultimate sunny Sunday afternoon bliss-out.

Promoters talk about a warmth of sound, and they’re spot on. There’s something very rich and smooth in Super8 and Tab’s production which also comes to the fore in their instrumental tracks like Irifushi. But complimentary instruments and seamless transitions can’t mask the fact that sometimes their musical ideas just aren’t very interesting. The final track is particularly unsatisfying: a slow kick drum plods beneath Burton’s heavily reverbed tenor repeating “free love”, whilst I vomit. It’s a seriously uncool finish to an album that generally avoids the worst of trance’s clichés.

Empire makes for very easy listening without being particularly groundbreaking or innovative, and as a debut album that’s quite understandable. Super8 & Tab have plenty of time for identity crises which send them into musical regions unknown, to the delight or dismay of loyal fans.

For now, they’ve knocked out a pleasant – at times beautiful – first album that has definitely made it onto my summer soundtrack.

Empire is out now on Anjunabeats/Balance Music through EMI.