Danger Mouse has always been an admirable producer. His experience spans over so many different genres and with each new artist, he brings a certain element that few can master. He is mostly known for being one half of the duo, Gnarls Barkley (with rapper/singer, Cee-Lo) but he’s also done some amazing production on albums such as Jay-Z’s Black Album, worked with MF Doom, not to mention Gorillaz’s Demon Days and Beck’s Modern Guilt! The previously mentioned works make him one of the best DJs out there. Not many can remix and produce beats like him.

However, it was his work with Sparklehorse on Danger Mouse and Sparlkehorse Present: Dark Night of The Soul that really impressed me. The album made my Top 40 albums of 2009 just because of the amazing artists featured on there. There was such diversity yet Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (and David Lynch!) made it into such a cohesive masterpiece. I highly recommend getting a copy if you don’t have one yet. (It’s only available in digital format since their record label refused to put it out.)

Now Danger Mouse teams up with James Mercer, front man of The Shins, and although I was sure the material would be nothing less than great, their first single as the duo, Broken Bells, pleasantly surprised me. “The High Road” has an insightful title that could fit into any of the Shins’ track listings, but it’s such a rich combination of electronica and soft rock it’s almost hypnotic.

This was basically a post praising Danger Mouse, but I am a fan of James Mercer as well. This song just proves that they may have some staying power as a duo. Stream and grab the mp3 below!

Mp3: Broken Bells – The High Road

Broken Bells’ debut album will be officially released on March 9, 2010 via Columbia Records.