Swedish House Mafia – Until One

Mob Rules

Production supergroup Swedish House Mafia has skyrocketed to the top of the electronic/dance totem pole in such an unbelievable manner, it’s a shocker they’re not a household name yet. DJs/producers Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso combine their powers to form the Voltron of house music. While each individual member is known worldwide for his club-dominating remixes and original productions, Until One finally brings it all together in one of the most anticipated dance releases of the year.

Released as a soundtrack for Take One, a new documentary about Swedish House Mafia, Until One is formatted as a “Best Of” collection of the individual members. The album only contains two original SHM productions, yet that doesn’t short-list the crew as “One (Your Name)” has quickly become the omnipresent house anthem of 2010 in a matter of months with “Miami 2 Ibiza” closely behind.

The rest of Until One reads like an almost fabricated resume, an incredible collection of bangers that keep pilling on to the point that listeners cannot believe they’re all from the same three guys (with a few guest singers and collaborators).

Though Until One isn’t chockfull of studio or mixing magic, SHM succeed in building drama and excitement across the album. Listeners cannot wait for the beat to drop on any given second. The album includes all the Axwell, Angello, and Ingrosso standards—including “Leave the World Behind” with Laidback Luke and the reworked ‘90s classic “Show Me Love” from Robin S.—and throws in some hipster-pleasing remixes of Empire of the Sun and Miike Snow.

From opener “Miami 2 Ibiza” with Tinie Tempah on vocals to closer “One (Your Name)” featuring dance-friendly guest vocals from Neptunes/N.E.R.D.  producer Pharrell, Until One is non-stop, Euro-house insanity. The end result recreates a set SHM would drop in Ibiza or a major European electronic music festival, and the listener is left astounded, exhausted, and excited, feeling as if they’re exiting a Parisian dance club in the wee morning hours.