I’ve been waiting so long to write this review – as long as I have been waiting for this new album (three years). I know I’m late posting this review as it was released almost a month ago on the 22nd January 2021, however I needed to make sure I got this absolutely right so have been taking my time to write snippets whilst listening to the hell out of the Isles. This is probably going to be the most biased review I have ever written, and maybe even ever will write.
The second album from the dynamic dance duo Bicep, Isles is one of the most, certainly in my opinion, highly anticipated albums of the last three years. Following the major success of the release of their first, self titled eponymous album in 2017, the Belfast-born, London-based pair are finally back to the dance scene with another masterpiece.
The opening track, Atlas, was the first of four singles to be released. I first heard this at their Warehouse Project night in 2019 with Jeff Mills, Hammer, DJ Seinfeld and loads more; where they played a DJ set rather than a live one as this was the year they were taking a hiatus from the live sets as they were working on the album. I believe this was the first time they played this to an audience at an event, but wasn’t officially released until March 2020. Immediately I was transfixed. It is slow but euphoric and takes you on a journey to a different planet through time and space. They were teasing this track for a while whilst it was still unreleased before announcing the new album. This track also features a sample from Israeli artist Ofra Haza’s “Love Song”.
Track two, Cazenove features soft vocal samples and haunting melodies. This one is perfect for a 4am sunrise setting.
Apricots and Saku are the next two tracks on the album, both of which were the next two of the four singles released. Apricots samples Malawian singers and a Bulgarian choir. Saku touches on UK garage and features vocals from UK based Clara La San, who is featured twice on the album, in Saku and X. I really love the lyrics in Saku, “Shouldn’t be the one who’s alone // I deserve somebody // Can’t say that the feeling was strong // Know you’re thinking of me”. I think this is definitely my favourite of the four singles released and was my favourite single at the time of its release.
The fifth track, Lido, is probably my favourite on the album. Ambient, melodic and tranquil, it features monk-like vocal samples and it is a goose bump stimulating, beautiful track. The deep synths in this track remind me of “My Name On A Car” from Drive’s soundtrack, which is my favourite film of all time, and anyone who knows me knows how much I adore the soundtrack too.
X is the second single on the album featuring Clara La San and previewed the evening prior to release on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show where she co hosted the show with Bicep. It has an electro feel, with a touch of Detroit techno.
Rever features Julia Kent, a Canadian born cellist. This is also a very emotive track, with a Moderat type beat to it, and sampled a Bulgarian choir again.
Breakbeat number Sundial was the fourth and final single to be released. It is deeper with more of a bass sound, and features middle eastern like sounds, with a sample of Bollywood song, “Jab Andhera Hota Hai”.
Fir starts off quite slow and melodic and gradually gets more intense about two minutes in with its catchy synth lines. This is another one which gave me goose bumps, even more so thinking about seeing this one played live. This is well and truly a kaleidoscopic anthem.
Hawk is the final track on the album and is a really nice closing track, it ties the whole album together really brilliantly. I would say this is on the same level as Orca which is the opening track on the first album in the sense of its power to really bring feeling and atmosphere to the album.
So my overall verdict would be: it isn’t as good as the first album then again I think I was expecting that anyway just due to the first being one of my favourites of all time and considering its sentimental value to me, it will always have a space in my heart for many reasons. I also think they should have released less than four singles to keep us fans wanting more and increase the anticipation even more so. However, Matt and Andy have absolutely smashed it once again, as they always do. They have provided us with another album of pure euphoria.
After a horrendous past year for the dance music scene and industry, this album is a well needed pick me up for us all, and I truly believe it is the start of better times coming our way. There is no one else out there who can produce like these two, and no one even comes close to sounding anything like them, they are masters at what they do. I cannot wait for their live stream on the 26th February, and to see them in the flesh again *hopefully* this year.
Stream the album now:
theruthlessraver 