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With Scottish post-rockers Mogwai recently scoring their first-ever No 1 album with ‘As the Love Continues’, there’s never been a better time than now to delve deep into a more alternative, electronica-tinged, cinematic sound that tips its hat to a Krautrock influence. With algorithms abound, and every modern device being monitored for listening patterns, don’t be too surprised to see the name BirdPen popping up as “suggested listening” once ‘As the Love Continues’ fades out. Or appearing on “similar” playlists on Spotify.
English duo BirdPen are Dave Pen (also singer and guitarist in Archive) and Mike Bird, and new album ‘All Function One’ marks their first release for some time, and there is something quite soothing about this particular album being released in a worldwide pandemic. An album that encourages the listener to take time over and actually listen to it, ‘All Function One’ works just as well as individual tracks as it does as a “traditional” album. Opener ‘Function’ is a slow-building way to kick off the album; subtle, repetitive string arrangements, pulsing, hypnotic drums, and a guitar sound that comes crashing in like waves. ‘Life In Design’ follows on immediately and it’s the gorgeous guitar tones that intrigue the most, head-swimming at times and the gradual rise in volume towards the end of the song works really well in creating a dreamy atmosphere.
‘Modern Junk’ mixes it up with a lighter, more electronic feel, which gives way to some short, sudden bursts of noise that startle on the first airing and remain a real thrill even after repeat listens. As does ‘Blackhole’, which although being the shortest of the 12 tracks, packs enough into its two and half minutes to leave a lasting impression. ‘Changes’ is one of the standout moments on the album, with the foreboding spoken-word vocals offset by the rhythmic percussion and some stunning arrangements. The track is partnered alongside the melancholic ‘Universe’ and forms a strong few minutes of two entirely different tracks that work well together. The strings arrangements on the latter are especially mesmerising, and as soon as the track fades out, the listener might just find themselves pressing repeat.
An atmospheric album that grows stronger on each visit, the perfect balance of electronica, post-rock/indie music, with a dash of Steven Wilson/The Pineapple Thief-style prog thrown into the mix. One of those albums that rewards the listener the more time that they spend on it. And let’s face it, time is ticking by pretty damn slowly at the minute.
Available now through JAR Records
buy link
birdpen.tmstor.es
digital services smartlink
smarturl.it/All-Function-One
