It was only two years ago that Montreal-based DJ Champion (Maxime Morin) became a household name across the country with his hit single, “No Heaven.” Often referred to as the Canadian version of Moby, Champion has maintained a solid, if subtle, career progression, and, with Resistance, it appears there is no turning back for him.
The maxim “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” is evident in much of Champion’s work. Indeed, Resistance, the artist’s third full-length offering, follows the style of his previous album, Chill ‘Em All. Several tracks, such as “Backing Off,” recall the seminal “No Heaven” and it would not be a surprise to see a single from Resistance climb the charts the way it did. But those looking for some signs of progress will be happy to see Champion try something different on a couple tracks, like “Plastiques Et Métaux.” It provides a surprisingly fresh but dark sound, combining synth, guitars and heavy bass into an electronica-tinged diversion. It works, and is a welcomed departure from the rest of the album, which is dominated by Champion’s signature upbeat songs filled with simple guitar riffs.
The album at no point seems to be trying to make a huge statement, but that’s OK. DJ Champion has simply followed up his previous work with a similar, but undeniably successful sound, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
3 stars out of 5
