Bdrmm release their third album `Microtonic` this month whose theme is steeped in Dystopia. The Hull quartet who comprise of Ryan Smith, Joe Vickers, Jordan Smith, and Connor Murray have shared that it seems we spend every waking moment constantly watching the world become a harder and harder place to live. Watching the news has become unbearable.
The album opens with `goit` with Sydney Minsky Sargeant from Manchester`s Working Men`s Club band guesting on vocals sharing a fairly bleak nigh on spoken word oration on mortality and avoiding thinking about it. The discourse has a pulsing austere but captivating soundscape underpinning it. I read that a goit is a term for a watercourse, stream, or channel, especially in Yorkshire, so maybe the title is a metaphor. Feelings of confusion and doubt pervade `John on the Ceiling` which has delightfully dreamy ambience about it.
`Infinity Peaking` is a fairly hypnotic tranquil offering, a rolling synth driven track with and upbeat vibe which was written in Malaga and although the lyrics are a little despondent, it still retains the open brightness of the locality where it was composed. A recurring cyclic beat underpins `Snares` which at times is spoken word but veers off into a vocalised tone as the number evolves. It`s fairly illusory musically but grows volubly in the last minute or so. A piece that seems to reflect on asserting oneself without actually physically committing.
`In The Electric Field` has Olivesque from Manchester trio Nightbus guesting on vocals on this trippy dreamy number. An electric field is a physical field that surrounds electrically charged particles. The electric field of a single charge describes their capacity to exert attractive or repulsive forces on another charged object and this apprehensive, anxious almost nervy submission may be allegory of human nature or perception. Title track `Microtonic` is an atmospheric instrumental interlude that may well hint at something more existential.
`Clarkycat` was a further dreamlike offering that appears to contemplate on searching for something in life, a sense of purpose, fulfilment, or a clear direction possibly. Although lyrically `Sat In the Heat` seems to be consumed with anxiety, the number has a shimmering ambience about it and is delightfully mesmerising.
`Lake Disappointment` was described by singer and guitarist Ryan Smith as “probably the most aggressive and exciting song we’ve conjured up.” It has a subdued drum and bass like sense with vocals that are shared in a kind of fidgety, jittery, and restless manner, with the song having an overall dance like feel. The final number comes with `The Noose` a real intense slow burn synth laden stream of consciousness initially before gaining a vibrating under beat but retaining its questioning overriding perception.
`Microtonic` is an enticing but overwhelmingly compelling listen which is at times trippy and ambient but also poses questions that may appertain to the meaning of life but lyrically could well be left open to interpretation. A powerful and alluring composition that will draw you into its many layers and leave you will more questions than answers.
Rating 8.5/10
