Paradise

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Album ∙ Dance ∙ 2024


As one of dance music’s modern disco ambassadors, Purple Disco Machine has added his nostalgic touch to some of the early 2020s’ big cultural moments, remixing “I’m Just Ken” from the blockbuster film Barbie and Lizzo’s ubiquitous hit “About Damn Time,” for which he earned his first Grammy. But the German producer’s mission is wider than that. He’s long viewed his music as a funky vessel for feel-good vibes and escapism, where, true to the genre’s roots, everyone can express themselves without judgment. Purple Disco Machine builds that world on his third studio album, exploring the many ways people experience “paradise,” whether that’s by getting lost in heavy grooves or acting with reckless abandon. As “W.T.P,” the album’s opening track, winks: “Don’t need no good advice in paradise.”

To make the album, Purple Disco Machine collected vintage gear to emulate the warmth of classic records. He also embraced a more collaborative approach, working closely with songwriters and live musicians to capture the energy of in-person sessions. Diverse collaborators like disco icon Nile Rodgers, rapper/singer TOBi, synth-pop artist Roosevelt, and British rock band Nothing But Thieves help shape Paradise’s rich sound, which dips into Italo-disco, ’70s glam rock, and ’80s Hi-NRG.

With these retro dance floor sounds, Purple Disco Machine crafts pop-influenced tracks you can’t help but sing along to. On “Beat of Your Heart,” lust is intense and consuming, while the title track is a declaration of self-liberation under the club spotlight. The hook for “Honey Boy” is simple yet hypnotizing, helped by Nile Rodgers’ iconic funk bassline, and “All My Life” is a soaring, heart-filling festival anthem. “Die Maschine” is the album’s most thought-provoking track, as German artist Friedrich Liechtenstein delivers spoken word about humankind’s impact on the planet. The album closes on a reflective note, reminding us that paradise is something to enjoy but also something we must protect.

Listen on Apple Music

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