Simian Mobile Disco was originally formed as a traveling DJ duet, playing on the side of their early four-piece band Simian. They ultimately released a number of low profile singles, such as "The Count" on Kitsuné Music, but arguably gained more fame for their remixes of artists such as Muse, Klaxons, The Go! Team, Air and others. In 2006, Kitsuné released SMD's underground hit "Hustler", which features a vocal performance from New York singer Char Johnson.
Musically, Simian Mobile Disco is known for heavily stylized tracks —often with minimal instrumentation— that associate themselves with a particular hook (vocal or instrumental —see mix of "Whoo! Alright, Yeah...Uh Huh" by The Rapture), which is repeated throughout the track. There is often a breakdown (occasionally more —see mix of "Magick" by Klaxons) comprising noise, drums and sometimes synths and vocals.
The band's debut album, Attack Decay Sustain Release was released on 18 June 2007 on Wichita Recordings. Among the tracks included on it are "Hustler", "Tits and Acid", "I Believe", "Hot Dog" and lead single "It's the Beat", which features Ninja from UK indie band The Go! Team on vocals. The album contains five new tracks, and the European version includes a bonus disc. The album was preceded by two mix compilations in April and May, for the "Bugged Out" and "Go Commando" series respectively.
SMD supported Klaxons at Brixton Academy on the 5 December 2007 and The Chemical Brothers at Aintree Pavilion on 9 December 2007 and Brighton Centre on 12 December 2007. SMD made a mix for Mixmag that came free with the January 2008 issue of Mixmag. While working on their second studio album, they released a collection of remixed SMD originals entitled Sample and Hold, which contains eleven tracks and was released in the UK on July 28, 2008. A North American date has not yet been announced.
In January 2009, they announced on their Myspace page that a new album was supposed to come out in 2009. Soon after that, they released a new track "Synthesise", on 12 February, through a music video (directed by Kate Moross and Alex Sushon) that "features live visual accompaniment" for the track. Two days later, a new song was broadcast on the BBC Radio 1 named "10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong", soon followed by the release on 6 March of the official music video on their YouTube channel.
Their sophomore studio album Temporary Pleasure was finally announced on the 6 May, featuring many guests that they have encountered by their work as producers or their worldly tour including Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, Beth Ditto of Gossip, and Chris Keating of Yeasayer.
On New Years Eve 2009 Simian Mobile Disco will headline 'Get Loaded in the Dark' at the world famous Brixton Academy alongside Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1), Chase & Status, Herve and Sub Focus.
On NYE SMD headlined The Greatest Show on Earth at Motion in Bristol with the Bugged Out rig and rocked.
Off the Map
Simian Mobile Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Sax Machine
And everything
In between
The shoes
The floor
The makeup (Put makeup)
D-I-S-C-O
And I go
I know a place
Under the bridge
And off the radar
You can be Space
I'll be The Invader
I'll take you there
Why don't we step off the map?
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Why don't we step off the map?
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Smoke it up
Suck it down
Burn it up
Throw it down
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (Aaaaaaaaa)
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Now I know a place
Under the bridge
And off the radar
You can be Space
I'll be The Invader
I'll take you there
Why don't we step off the map?
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Why don't we step off the map?
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Smoke it up
Suck it down
Burn it up
Throw it down
Suck it up
Smoke it down
Burn it up
Throw it down
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
(All Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiight)
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
(All Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiight)
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
The lyrics of "Off the Map" by Simian Mobile Disco are centered around stepping out of one's typical routine, into a world that is off the grid, where anything is possible. The opening verse introduces the "Man Machine" and the "Sax Machine," suggesting a futuristic, almost robotic element to the song. The chorus encourages the listener to "step off the map," to take risks and pursue the unknown, without the possibility of turning back. The lyrics describe a place "under the bridge and off the radar" where you can be "space" and the singer will be "The Invader."
The repetition of "Smoke it up, Suck it down, Burn it up, Throw it down, Keep on turning till there's no turning back" creates a sense of recklessness and abandon, further emphasizing the themes of leaving traditional boundaries and domesticated living behind. The song seems to be an invitation to join a journey to this new, unfamiliar path, where the conventional is left behind and the possibilities are endless.
Line by Line Meaning
The Man Machine
Referring to the various mechanical and electronic instruments and devices used to create music
The Sax Machine
Referring specifically to the saxophone, a musical instrument that blends both mechanical and organic elements
And everything
All of the different components and elements that come together to create a musical experience
In between
The space and connections between each individual component of the music-making process
The shoes
Possibly referring to the fashion and style of the performers or audience members
The floor
The physical space in which the music is being played or danced to
The makeup (Put makeup)
Possibly referring to the visual aesthetics of the performers or audience members
The dog
Unclear, possibly a reference to an inside joke or personal connection
D-I-S-C-O
Spelling out the word 'disco', a genre of music and dance that became popular in the 1970s
And I go
Moving or dancing to the beat of the music, following the rhythm and energy of the performance
I know a place
The singer knows of a location or state of being that is unusual or unexpected
Under the bridge
A reference to a location that is hidden or underground, possibly symbolizing an escape from mainstream culture
And off the radar
Being away from the attention or interference of authorities or outside forces
You can be Space
Addressing a second person, offering them the possibility of a new identity or experience
I'll be The Invader
Asserting the singer's desire to take control and dominate the situation
I'll take you there
The artist is inviting the second person to come with them to this new location/experience
Why don't we step off the map?
Challenging the idea of following pre-determined paths or conforming to mainstream culture, suggesting that they should strike out and explore something new
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Reinforcing the idea of pushing boundaries and moving towards a point of no return
Smoke it up
Possibly referring to smoking cigarettes or marijuana as a form of escapist pleasure
Suck it down
Further emphasizing the idea of escapism through drug use
Burn it up
Possibly referring to burning out or using up one's resources, whether physical or mental
Throw it down
Unclear, possibly a reference to drugs or party culture
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (Aaaaaaaaa)
Vocalizing the excitement, energy, or intensity of the moment
Suck it up
Continuing the theme of drug use and escapism, possibly referring to drinking or snorting substances
Smoke it down
Repeating the earlier line, reinforcing the message of escapism through drugs
Keep on turning till there's no turning back
Once again emphasizing the idea of taking risks and pushing boundaries beyond the point of no return
Now I know a place
Repeating an earlier line, indicating that they have arrived at their destination or have found a new location/experience
(All Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiight)
Vocalizing the idea of a continuous, uninterrupted experience of enjoyment or escape
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.