Microtonic

Hull-based group bdrmm have evolved from their initial post-punk-influenced sound, gradually incorporating more electronic elements and experimenting with song forms. Their 2020 debut album, Bedroom, had a dark, dreamy shoegaze sound, and 2023s I Dont Know was heavier on synths and electronic beats, lunging from ambient techno to trip-hop to deconstructed electronic rock reminiscent of Disco Inferno. Microtonic, their third full-length, is another stylistically varied effort that folds aggressive drumnbass breakbeats and squirming acid house synths into the bands sound. Opener "goit" has shivering vocal effects and beats that both pound and scatter, along with spoken verses about fear, terror, and being unable to hide. The drums and synths pile up to a fever pitch, making for an ominous, nearly overwhelming intro. "John on the Ceiling" feels like the type of driving, urgent post-punk songs the band wrote at the beginning of their career, but with synth textures replacing the icy guitar riffs, and more energetic drumming, along with pulsating electronic beats. "Infinity Peaking" is an electronic dream pop fusion bringing to mind Morr Musics Slowdive tribute album. "Snares" features another introspective monologue, set to skittering, "Idioteque"-like beats and flowing synth pads, with chiming guitars and whistling synth sequences peering through near the end. "In the Electric Field," another track with spoken lyrics, this time by guest Olivesque of Nightbus, has a patient, unhurried tempo and dubby echo effects. "Clarkycat" dives deeper into ambient techno melodies, and the beats gradually get sharper and more detailed on "Sat in the Heat," a trippy rumination about anxiety. "Lake Disappointment" is the groups most successful experiment with charged-up beats, submerging fractured breaks under hovering basslines and controlled guitar storms. "The Noose" ends the record with an uneasy drift of four-to-the-floor kick drums, hazy guitars, and repetitive vocals dissolving into burbling synths. Much like bdrmms previous album, the bands ambition and eagerness to experiment is impressive, and its exciting to hear them branch out and embrace different styles. However, the songs on Microtonic simply arent as memorable as the highlights of their debut. It sounds impressive, but it exists in a sort of netherworld between expansive sonic exploration and fully engaging songwriting. ~ Paul Simpson