Dirty indie electro duo finally take the limelight

autoKratz have been so tied up remixing and supporting electro music’s biggest names, it’s time they stole the spotlight themselves. This London-based duo of David Cox and Russell Crank has toured the festival circuit alongside DJ Shadow, Busy P and Erol Alkan, supported The Prodigy and Underworld, and remixed Alex Metric and La Roux. Their first release in 2008 on French label Kitsuné was well received, but it seems their latest album, Self Help For Beginners (out 30 May on their new label Bad Life) will be a chance for them to toot their own horn.

These boys are known for their heart-pumping, laser beam-inducing brand of electro-infused techno. But Self Help is more accessible, thanks to collaborations with Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook on the relatively light Becoming the Wraith, and Primal Scream’s Andrew Innes playing guitar on Kick, a melodic number with a killer bridge (you’ll likely hear it at their DJ set at Volar this fortnight as part of the Belvedere Beat series).

Aside from Self Help tracks, we expect to hear shout-outs to ex-label mates Boys Noize, fellow Brit-boy duo Evil Nine and the usual French house heavyweights like Étienne de Crécy. Be warned, ladies: it’s a night for dance floor wreckage. So trade your stilettos in for flats as you’ll regret sitting this one out.

Andrea Yu