The Prodigy - Nasty

The Prodigy have announced they are to return with a new album "The Day is My Enemy", which will be released on 30 March, via their own label Take Me To The Hospital. The first taster of the album is called "Nasty".

My first reaction upon hearing the track, is "They are back!" The beat clocks in at around 138bpm, which automatically gives it a different vibe and energy to the dance music that has been prevalent in the UK charts over the past few years, which has predominantly been at the classic house tempo of 128BPM. It sounds instantly familiar, which I feel is a strength of the track, and by that what I mean is it has a similar sound to that which was found on their last album, 2009's "Invaders Must Die". It has a belligerent sound, where the hyper-aggressive drums are accompanied mainly by a simple, pounding and aggressive riff, which features in the bass and the guitar/synth part, doubling the part for extra emphasis. It will translate extremely well live I imagine (which by the way is the best way to see The Prodigy. They are one of the few bands who can appeal across all genres, and you always hear reports of them smashing festivals. But my favourite place to see them is in Brixton Academy, as I have done three times.

Keith Flint's vocals have always been a crucial element to The Prodigy's mainstream success. By that I mean tunes like "Firestarter" and the all-important live element. When he did not play a main part in the group and it was primarily Liam Howlett producing it did not feel quite the same, and I know that the group has referred to it in previous interviews, particularly around the press of the last album. Keith doesn't over-power you with over-complex sentiments; the delivery is punky and full of attitude. It is a very British sounding delivery. The chorus is really catchy, but anthemic prominently featuring the word "Nasty".

And that quintessentially is what The Prodigy are to British music. They have been at the forefront of popular dance music for well past 20 years, but when they return as well as evoking the past, with things like Keith Flint's punk style delivery, it still feels like they represent a feeling of the current, whether that is frustration with some of today's current music, or with wider societal issues.

Roll on May, when The Prodigy will be touring the UK, and I can hopefully get tickets for their gig at Alexandra Palace on the 15th or 16th!