It is a near impossible feat to define what a culture is. True, Spain has its traditions but these vary hugely. As though reflecting the differences and diversity of the Iberian peninsula, The Bandit has re-imagined the supposed parameters of electro. No style is adhered to on this 12”, cold brittle sounds sit next to warped braindance, industrial clattering rubs shoulders with whimsical song.
Breakfast, bread, and tomato. Coat and scarf on the first day of October. Make sure a child has shoes on. In one breath the Spanish are a very regimented folk, in another they are the compete opposite. In his excellent “How to Invent a Country” Misha Glenny described the United Kingdom as four separate countries coming together. Spain he said was twelve. In this ridiculously varied land there are many common threads, and surprisingly there is one when it comes to electronic music. Despite its different climes, cultures and conflicts, electro is a real leveler for the machine funk faithful of the Iberian peninsula. Barcelona’s Util Records flies this unifying flag of frigid beats and incising melodies bringing a new name to its roster.
The Bandit, a Barcelona based DJ and producer, returns to vinyl with his mini-album Novo Area. “Useless Population” melts a glut of styles into a black syrup. Glow stick acid, bulging bass, scalpel-like breaks and guttural samples congeal to create a hyperactive garish protest. That same sense of experimentation and cross pollination courses through “Back to Novo Yard,” energized electro brimming with swooping synth-lines. “Desacid” bubbles and churns on soured TB303 chords with a sub-zero spike of percussion that keeps the darkness coming. “Dejame Entrar En Tu Mente” casts even longer shadows than its predecessor. Mechanized vocals tell an indecipherable tale streaked with suffering as sheer keys scissor and stab. The track has a wonderful liquidity to it, bending and curving around stark drum pillars. The Bandit dives even lower as he descends underground, “Drifting in the Sewers.” Computer squeal and burbling bleeps are rinsed in refracted light, a stern snare keeping time. Warming beams soften and transform the piece, rounding sharp edges. The closer is the outlier of the six. A rumbling piece of politically scented synth pop in the form of “Freedom Doesn’t Exist” with vocals care of MMS.
It is a near impossible feat to define what a culture is. True, Spain has its traditions but these vary hugely. As though reflecting the differences and diversity of the Iberian peninsula, The Bandit has re-imagined the supposed parameters of electro. No style is adhered to on this 12”, cold brittle sounds sit next to warped braindance, industrial clattering rubs shoulders with whimsical song. The turbulent content of this EP means undulating levels of success with certain tracks jarring against their fellow farers . Nevertheless, there is a bravery.
Novo Area is available on Util.
