- Bicep's recent techno-focused explorations continue apace on this new two-tracker for Will Saul's Aus Music. Where the Northern Irish pair's last EP for the label, 2013's Stash, included three glimmering, mid-paced cuts from their wonderful "Unreleased Live Mix" for Beats In Space, Circles begins much more forcefully.
The title track is a Detroit techno stormer through and through. A simple, undulating bass groove, slowly flexing pads and a whipsmart vocal loop join its opening blast of coruscating drums and relentless hats. It's a well-executed, uncluttered techno track that could be a companion piece to "Snack Bar" from November's Satisfy. On the flip, "NRG106" is more like something from Stash. A luxuriant deep techno workout, it adorns its kick drum with glowing pads and lush vocal harmony snippets to provide a tender comedown from the record's turbo-charged beginning.
TracklistA1 Circles
B1 NRG106