VariousFatboy Slim vs. Australia

In an era where nothing is sacred, even the most well-respected artist risks having their art desecrated courtesy of upstarts churning out sub-par imitations in the hopes of a coattail ride to superstardom.

MORE: UNIFY Gathering 2018 Top 3’s // The Loosest Units At UNIFY 2018

Fatboy Slim VS Australia, the latest in a long line of painfully average tribute/remix/cover records which seem to permeate through the industry like mistimed flatulence in a lift. Being a Fatboy Slim fan, you would initially have harboured high hopes for this EP.

The first track, a cover of the UK stalwart’s seminal 1999 hit Praise You by Brisbane producer The Kite String Tangle is an interesting take on the original, featuring soothing vocal work, and chilled-out vibes for a world-wearied soul, and leaves little doubt in this reviewer’s mind as to why this was chosen as one of the two songs to promote the EP prior to its release.

Whilst left wanting for more, It is disappointing to find Praise You was one of the few stand out moments on the EP.

The majority of the record from track two onwards is unremarkable, a vast landscape of beige and vanilla peppered with the occasional flourish of colour, or a meatloaf more consisting of breadcrumbs than actual meat.

Aside from Praise You, the only other high points on Fatboy Slim VS Australia are Sam La More’s cover of Rockafella Skank in all its orchestrally-strung glory, and Northlane’s attempt at recreating the 2013 anthem Eat, Sleep, Rave Repeat, which itself even falls into the same tired “Pop Goes … “formula exhibited by many heavy bands covering popular tunes.

Special mention should go to Mental As Anything guitarist Reg Mombassa’s artwork, which harkens back to his design work with clothing company Mambo. 

In short, Fatboy Slim VS Australia is not bad, but it’s not good either – the EP is merely the auditory equivalent of a dry Salada when you’ve cheese in the fridge and a pantry full of spreads.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Praise You, Rockafella Skank, and Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat.
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Fatboy Slim – The Greatest Hits – Why Try Harder

Fatboy Slim VS Australia is out now via Skint/BMG.