Bleep

Following cassettes from Cranko PoP and Eazykill, the IDM- and Braindance-specialising imprint Massage Brain Cult now branch out into the world of vinyl with a new compilation EP. While this thing might have an unpronounceable title - √∆1, of you were wondering - it is far easier to put into words just how high the quality of the music is.

We have ourselves a varied mix of artists here, from Analogical Force favourites Bot1500 And Mause to old Romans D’Arcangelo via relative unknowns like Jessica Walrus. Whether the contributing act is a seasoned veteran or promising newcomer, every track on √∆1 is chock full of ideas. Nothing here is particularly angsty, with the moodier end of the Braindance sound eschewed for zippy synths and effervescent drum programming. Cuts from Mause and Jessica Walrus are particularly spry, the beats zipping around the monitors with evident glee. Bot1500’s ‘Rave 5.1’ channels the future-forward rave sonics of the genre’s 90s heyday to create something mystical and evocative. Velum Break knocks up ‘Apple Galleon’, a more seasick cut with plenty of electro-funk to its bassline. D'arcangelo and fxbip provide √∆1 with variation, their steady IDM-techno tunes slowing the pulse of the record down while maintaining that same sense of melodious energy as the rest of the material.

Massage Brain Cult’s first vinyl drop delivers a delightful half-dozen tunes which give the old Braindance sound new spark.