Five of the Best: Justice

Image: Justice

Justice's music is deliriously infectious. The Parisian duo successfully captured the balance between pop and dance and turned it into something spectacular and accessible as they explored technology and music combined. 

Their sound was lazily, but correctly compared to Daft Punk. Not surprising considering both pairs come from France. Justice belong to Ed Banger Records, and the boss of that imprint Pedro Winter aka Busy P just happened to be the manager of Daft Punk for 12 years. 

It wasn't just the music that propelled Justice further into the sonic stratosphere. Their visual self branding was just as impressive. The symbolic cross was part of their stylised name and was highlighted on their † album. It became a glowing trademark that accompanied their mesmerising live sets.

Ahead of their appearance at XOYO with Erol Alkan as part of Busy P's residency there, we listed off five of the biggest Justice tracks as we indulge in nostalgia and that amazing D.A.N.C.E. video. 

'We Are Your Friends' 2003

This was the pivotal point in Justice's career. Absolutely everything changed when this clash between them and Simian reached the mainstream and began its mission to earn classic status.

Re-released in 2004 on DJ Hell's International Deejay Gigolo, the catchy and energetic game changer continued to rear its bold head for some time, and still gets regular plays on the air waves and on TV. This was a sign of things to come from the Parisian pair. 

'D.A.N.C.E.' 2007

When † arrived in 2007, it was this track that sent fans (new and old) insane. It was a reminder of the mature pop perfection Justice were capable of. The instantly recognisable child vocals accompanied by the squelchy bassline (reminiscent of Daft Punk's 'Voyager') and climaxing synths mean that this still sounds as fresh today. 

'DVNO' 2007

From the same album as the previous track, DVNO had the same sort of charm. The song boasts big lyrics and a song-a-long chorus, all of which are suitably highlighted in the 80s style logos that crop up in the music video. This glamorous offering of bulky beats is our personal favourite. 

MGMT 'Electric Feel' (Justice Remix) 2008

After the success of † , Justice needed something big, and this was it. This remix bagged them a Grammy Award for 'Best Remixed Recording, Non Classical' in 2009, and it's not hard to see why. Their musical attitude transformed the biggest indietronica track of that year and made it unmistakably Justice.

'Canon' 2011

When Justice released Audio, Video, Disco in 2011, it was instantly apparent that they'd taken their sound in a different direction, and that direction was progressive rock. 'Canon' showcased this shift in style with its hefty guitar riffs, but its the pair's savvy and distinguishable production skills which makes it just as likeable as their other outputs. 

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