CASSIUS Vinyl & CDs

Review: Following the recent tragic death of founder member Philippe Zdar, this could well be Cassius' final bow. "Dreems" - the long-serving Parisian duo's fifth studio album - would be a fitting swansong. Less concerned with the potential of Ed Banger style power-pop, its' various glassy synth-pop moments (see the Owlie voiced "Don't Let Me Be") are outnumbered by vibrant, funk-fuelled tracks that pay homage to their own "French Touch" house heritage. "Rock Non Stop", for example, is like something from debut album "1999", "Cause oui!" is an exuberant mash-up of synth-pop, hot and heavy house and hip-hop featuring Beastie Boy Mike D and "Calliope" recalls the late night hedonism of Zdar's work with Etienne de Crecy as Motorbass. Rest in peace Philippe.