- Since striking gold with "Vision Of Love" in 2012, Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar have been careful to shake off associations with the '90s house revival by toying with denser, techno-influenced sounds. Just, their latest EP for Aus Music, brings the focus back to the '90s but this time through a different lens.
If you've enjoyed the recent Bwana material on Aus, then you'll probably like this one. Bicep have never been afraid of cheese, and there's a fair bit of it here, starting with "Just," a classic-styled breakbeat number with a chirpy synth lead that burrows itself into your head. They go tribal on "Celeste," where bongos, wafting vocals and some keen piano playing gesture towards Banco De Gaia-style electronica. "Back 2 U (Tranz Dub)" is just what the title says—a dubby trance number, with surging basslines and ecstatic vocal hooks. All of these tunes are done exceptionally well, and they're the kind of exercises that would feel kitschy or just plain tasteless if Bicep weren't such excellent producers. The Northern Irish duo have always had a talent for making clichéd sounds feel modern and imaginative.
TracklistA1 Just
A2 Celeste
B1 Back 2 U (Tranz Dub)