Anima Sound System - Hungarian Astronaut

I’m not sure why Hungarian folk/electronic music is such a rarity, but I’m glad that Anima Sound System is there to fill the void. On _Hungarian Astronaut_, they willfully mock the Communist authorities (the sample on "East & Bass") or bring traditional-sounding vocals in a breaks-based setting, like on the title track or on the finger-snapping "Home." The vocals and trip-hop of "Két Út Van Előttem" bears a bit of sadness on its back, which carries into "Csángó." The instrumental "Hideg," as well, mixes a bit of jazz with the melancholy. But not all is socialist doom and gloom: "Bob" perks up with a crisp beat and a funky bass, while "Igaz Szerelem" dips firmly into dub. "Peace & Love & Politics" has the pleasant flutes and vocal harmonies that bring to mind easy-listening, and "Dubocska" ends the album on a mellow note.