Dance Gavin Dance - Artificial Selection [Black Vinyl LP]

Dance Gavin Dance's eighth studio album, Artificial Selection, arrives as a powerful testament to the Sacramento quintet's technical prowess and genre-defying approach. Originally released in 2018 through Rise Records, this 14-track collection showcases the band's signature fusion of progressive post-hardcore, math rock, funk, and experimental soundscapes. Recorded at Interlace Audio in Portland with producer Kris Crummett and co-produced by Erik Ron, the album marked Dance Gavin Dance's third consecutive release with the same lineup, featuring clean vocalist Tilian Pearson's melodic delivery counterbalanced by Jon Mess's raw, aggressive screams. Former vocalist Kurt Travis makes a special appearance on "Shelf Life," adding another layer to the band's dynamic vocal interplay.

The album opens with the commanding "Son of Robot" before launching into the high-energy "Midnight Crusade," both of which highlight guitarist Will Swan's intricate fretwork and Matthew Mingus's precision drumming. "Care" delivers atmospheric intensity with its polyrhythmic structures, while "Count Bassy" brings a funk-infused groove to the post-hardcore framework. The nearly nine-minute closer "Evaporate" features reprises from past songs and showcases the band's ability to craft expansive, progressive compositions. Throughout these 51 minutes, Dance Gavin Dance balances technical complexity with emotional depth, creating music that's both cerebral and visceral.

This black vinyl reissue delivers solid sound quality that captures the album's intricate layering and dual-vocal dynamics. The heavier vinyl weight provides improved playback stability and reduced surface noise, allowing Swan's experimental guitar effects and Tim Feerick's pounding bass lines to shine through with clarity. The standard jacket houses the vibrant album artwork, making this pressing an accessible entry point for those discovering Dance Gavin Dance's catalog or completing their collection.

• Format: Standard Weight Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Son of Robot," "Midnight Crusade," "Care," "Count Bassy"
• Pressing details: 2023 reissue pressing
• Genre/style: Post-Hardcore / Metalcore / Alternative Rock / Emo
• UPC: 4050538391091

Artificial Selection captures Dance Gavin Dance pushing their boundaries while maintaining the idiosyncratic sound that has earned them a devoted following. This black vinyl edition brings depth and presence to one of modern post-hardcore's most ambitious albums.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Son Of Robot
2. Midnight Crusade
3. Suspended In Disaster
4. Care
5. Count Bassy
6. Flash
7. The Rattler
8. Shelf Life

Side B:

1. Slouch
2. Story Of My Bros
3. Hair Song
4. Gospel Burnout
5. Bloodsucker
6. Evaporate