Artist: Junkie XL
Title: Today
Label: Skyline Records
By: Andy Dixon | 5 October 2006
Tracklist:

• A: Extended Mix
• B: Unkle Vs Mode Showdown Mix

Junkie XL "Today"

Computer Hell Cabin is open and the future is now. JXL still reigns supreme though. The inexhaustible capacity of Tom Holkenborg has produced the two parts of 'Computer in Future Hell', 'Zerotonine', 'B Y Whop To The Y', co-produced tracks with Sasha, Infusion, Dave Gahan, and Elvis, and even scored for movies and games. His resume of notable contributions is so long that it is necessary to add the phrase "just to name a few" to any list of his works.

But he's not done yet. The title track and first single from his new album, 'Today' is his newest venture. Junkie's Extended Mix begins with one of his archetypal heavy beats and a percussive statement that sounds more mechanical than electronic. And because it's an extended mix, he gives you two plus minutes of this driving force for added mixing fun before the guitar riff and indispensable bassline enter. Relative unknown Nathan Mader supplies the vocals, which gives the inkling of a pop tune, but the substance and quintessential Junkie production keeps it from being too live and too raw. Holkenborg has a history of guitars that can be blaring and a bit too much at times, dating way back to his first album 'Saturday Teenage Kick' in 1997, and while this isn't that extreme some might be put off by it.

The 'Unkle Vs Mode Showdown Mix' smoothes out some of the rockiness. Crisp snares, even keeled hi-hats, and new sublayering driven by staccato 32nd notes breathes new life through JXL. The vocals are a great fit with the UNKLE sound in particular as they come across much like those used in 'Never, Never Land'. But on Today, they move less and therefore don’t draw you in as much. Junkie's original melody sneaks in well into the fourth minute and new harmonies (panning effects, whistles, and pizzicato strings) add constant development throughout its nine minutes.

This isn't Holkenborg's best track but it's well worth checking out. If looking for something a little more poppy and for fan of Junkie's past works, 'Today' might be exactly what you expect. The Lavelle brothers have something to offer as well with their remix that - good or bad- alleviates some of the Junkieness.