With issues around Artificial Intelligence very much becoming ubiquitous, this brilliant second studio album from Glasgow duo Man Of Moon is timely. As the title, Machinism, suggests, there are songs that allude to humans and machines, sometimes in symbiosis, sometimes not. There’s a sense of unease, throughout, as themes of societal problems in our divided island dominate.
Singer Chris Bainbridge ‘s soaring vocals and crunchy guitar are complemented by Ian Stewart’s wild, fiery drumming. Their sound runs the gamut of experimentalism, without skimping on melody.’Time’ ‘s thunderous, but indie dance floor ready.
‘Video’ is a slow burning electronic anthem with a cinematic sheen and ‘You And I ‘ melds psych with postrock to dizzying heights, while ‘Machines That Breathe’ is hypnotic, ambient… and sadly, all too brief.
This album, in short, is a revelation, one of the year’s best so far. It’s tailor -made for small, intimate clubs and festival fields alike. That is, for as long as our robot overlords will allow it.
Out via Cosmic Pool on May 24th.
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