Mount Kimbie is a London-based electronic duo comprised of Kai Campos and Dom Maker. They debuted their first full-length album, Crooks and Lovers, in July 2010. The album was revered by NME, Pitchfork, Drowned in Sound and BBC Music. This past May, the two released Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, which has received high acclaim on i-D magazine, Time Out and Clash Magazine.

Campos and Maker performed at the Black Cat this past Wednesday and impressed me with their passion and raw talent. Music blogs are quick to label their genre as “post-dubstep,‰” but their music is different from other artists. I take issue with the label because Mount Kimbie’s tone has tons of electronic elements, and so attaching the word “dubstep‰” to their work is limiting and outdated. Mount Kimbie‰’s songs incorporate ambient synthesizer, banging drums, electric guitar riffs, catchy looping noises and sometimes-distant vocals.

I first heard of Mount Kimbie when I was studying abroad in Paris this past spring. I tried to keep up with the music trends through Twitter, and I noticed my friends raving about the song “Made to Stray‰” in March. I clicked on the YouTube link and was mesmerized by their futuristic sound. I was thrilled to find Mount Kimbie on the Black Cat schedule. I knew I had to go.

I went to the show with my friend Evan and we expected a chill, semi-ambient, head-boppy set. Man, were we wrong. Mount Kimbie used synthesizer decks along with a drum kit. Campos and Maker played electric guitars intermittently and there were live drums used throughout the show. Their decision to include traditional instruments livened up the tracks. Mount Kimbie‰’s set was arresting and surprisingly, very danceable.

A few memorable songs include “Blood and Form,‰” “Adriatic,‰” “Sullen Ground‰” and “Meter, Pale and Tone.‰Û On “Meter, Pale and Tone,‰” King Krule is supposed to sing alongside the synthesizer but instead, Mount Kimbie had their opener JONWAYNE rap-sing over it. The result was interesting and easy on the ears. I went wild when they played the build-up track “Break Well‰Û from Cold Spring Fault Less Youth. The song was powerful live!

For those unfamiliar with Mount Kimbie, I recommend starting with the tracks, “Before I Move Off‰” and “Made to Stray.‰” They will ease you into the “Mount Kimbie mindset.” I am still reeling from the show, and I hope I get the opportunity to see them again soon.

Visit their website for the tour schedule and check out Mount Kimbie‰’s music on their Soundcloud.