Soulwax Return With First Album Since 2005

It's been more than a decade since Soulwax recorded their last studio album, Nite Versions. Now the electronic dance-punk group is back with an original film soundtrack for Oscar-nominated director Felix Van Groeninge's newest film, Belgica. The entire album was composed, arranged and recorded by Soulwax and will feature 16 new tracks.

Taking more than twelve months to complete the project, each of the 16 tracks have been ascribed to the film's fictitious bands in order to fit in with the storyline.

Soulwax explained,

"We recorded the original music being played in the club, wrote the music, rehearsed and recorded live on set the tracks played by the bands—ranging from a live Kraut-techno band, White Virgins, bequiffed psychobilly trio They Live through to hardcore outfit Burning Phlegm (featuring Sepultura’s Igor Cavalera) whilst chanteuse Charlotte represents the other end of the spectrum with her neo-soul pop."

Here's a taste of a very Hives/Strokes-like track from the upcoming album below:

While it's not quite the type of comeback album we were expecting from Soulwax, it's better than nothing at all, right? Let's just hope this soundtrack leads to more from the group in the future. Or even better, long-awaited tour dates.

Belgica Original Soundtrack Tracklist:

1. Charlotte – The Best Thing
2. The Shitz – How Long
3. Rubber Band – Caoutchouc
4. White Virgins – Turn Off The Lights
5. Light Bulb Matrix – Hot December
6. Kursat 9000 – Çölde Kutup Ayisi
7. Erasmus – Ti Ricordi Di Me
8. Burning Phlegm – Nothing
9. Aquazul – Slippy Fingers
10. Roland McBeth – Don’t wait Up For Me
11. Diploma – Got Any Chris Rea?
12. They Live – The Cookie Crumbles
13. Danyel Galaxy – Cybernetic Permutations In The Key Of A
14. The Shitz – Sell It With Your Face
15. Robert Vanderwiel – Nine Thousand Eyes
16. Noah’s Dark – Inward