New releases reviewed

Three years on from their critically acclaimed debut album, Belfast-born, London-based duo, Bicep return with their emotionally charged, rave-laden follow up. Isles once again displays the duo’s expert craftmanship as they build a soundscape that channels old school, euphoric, rave vibes while also working in Bicep’s trademark melodic and synth-based sound. Full of emotional energy, soul and intense atmospheres, the record takes on a peak-time, druggy aesthetic that drives forward with momentum. ’90s breaks collide with deep, grumbling bass, shuffling rhythms, shimmering synths, warbling reverb, visceral grooves and spacey electronics to create a sound that is both nostalgic and modern. Moving between techno, house, postdubstep, electronica, ’90s UK bass and contemporary classical, Isles is beautifully rich. Drawing influences from their youth in Ireland and move to London, the album has a wide-ranging and expansive feel, at one point mixing samples from Malawian singers and a Bulgarian vocal choice that was recorded on TV in the 1950s. Isles is littered with epic, far-flung vocals, big, climbing builds and intense, bristling energies. This gives the record a bold, emotive feel throughout, but it manages to do this without spilling over into a frenzied assault of the dancefloor. Instead, there is an introspective feel at play, adding yet further depth and emotion through the haze, flickering strobe lights that filter through the smoke in the distance. A brilliant rendered piece of modern electronic music with bags of personality and a strong identity, Isles is Bicep’s fullest and most impressive sound to date. Tom Jones

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9/10