After a vast array of EPs, UK leftfield techno producer Perc now presents his debut album Wicker & Steel. Any good? Find out after the break...
Although his music is often labeled as tech-house or techno, Perc’s music is actually a bit harder to put into categories. Broken industrial beats, spoken word, hypnotic drone-shaped sequences and mid-tempo beats are just some of the element that make up Perc’s complex compositions, and which are the main ingredients of this album. Opening softly with the spokenword/electronica on Choice, the album soon shifts to industrial vibrations with tracks such as the fiercely rocking and minimally textured My Head Is Slowly Exploding and the distorted techno-track Start Chopping. Although these industrial-style tracks do , but they are most certainly not to be called ‘loud’, as the underlying (often broken) refer more to (tech-)house than speeding techno. Wicker & Steel is not only about the industrial side of house and techno though. Tunes such as the warm, Detroit-ish You Saw Me and the slo-mo Snow Chain spotlight Perc’s subtler side, adding a bit more versatility to the album as a whole.
Our verdict: Wicker & Steel has become a very original album that will most likely require a couple of extra spins to get in to. Perc’s penchant for throwing unusual elements and odd twists into his productions has resulted in a very adventurous album that definitely deserves a chance if you’re a sucker for experimental electronics.
Standout tracks: Start Chopping, London We Have You Surrounded Weak moments: none
Rating: 8.0/10 Label: Perc Trax Release date: Out now
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