I often find myself engaged in the literary equivalent of contortionistic moves when trying to explain where a song or album fits into the musical landscape. Not so with “Mid-Night Moves,” the new one from Tom Wills, for this is unassamedly, unequivocally, undeniably dance music!
Need a bit more? Okay, forward-thinking, of the moment, clubland-bound, vocal-led, incendiary, up-and-at-’em dance music. Better? But then, as soon as you drop the virtual needle, all that becomes immediately obvious. This is not music that claims to be anything other than the soundtrack to a good time – it is what it is, and what it is is fun.
His debut release for Stockholm-based label The Dance Division, “Mid-Night Moves,” is a shimmering and sophisticated floor filler, driven by confident beats and liquid sonics, effortless groove, and a dancefloor energy that borders on euphoric.
And whereas a lot of dance music has descended to a lowest common denominator, a shallow, almost effortless shadow of its former self, here, Tom Willis’ personality sits front and centre; this is as much about his charisma and personal sonic charm as it is about the song’s digital dexterity.
You also get a lot for your money. Not only does this release package feature the sassy, superb original take, but it also comes with three other remixes, each of which takes the track into tantalising, tangential realms.
Dance music is often seen as being the poor sibling of pop, somehow unimaginative and with less to say. In the hands of Tom Wills, nothing could be further from the truth.
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