Alien Communications Vinyl & CDs

Review: Age of Hyperion is one half of Alien Communication and here he lands on the label of the same name with the first part in his J.R. Isodore's Medicine Bottle series. It is a beguiling mix of electro and techno with weird grooves and innovative moods. The title cut is a slow and playful opener with jittery lines and smeared cosmic chords then it's into snappy rhythms and busted bass on Monkey Bones & Fish Brains' melodic madness on 'Ominus Voyage'. There are dark worlds explored on 'Material Metaphore' and 'Solar Pulse' then has whip-snapping synths lashing about over serene electro rhythms.

Review: Adam Curtain makes a fantastic debut here on the Alien Communications label as he collides come classic bleep-laden and highly danceable electron grooves with plenty of hefty basslines. 'Slipped Disc' quacks off with some ice cold atmospheres and electro-inspired rhythms, 'Whistling Wizard' is another ice-cold blend of crisp rhythms and tiny hits with sci-fi motifs and whirring machine details. 'DRM' then brings a winky and hiccuping rhythm with some superbly stark hits and 'I Want, Want' is a stripped back rhythm with dry synths and rasping sounds that are abstract yet infectious.

Review: Having built plenty of hype over previous outings, Hardacre finally drops this long-awaited debut on Alien Communications. It's a standout long player with acid, house, electro and techno all jumbled up into effective, 'floor-facing sounds that are high on power. There are lithe, metallic twitchers like the Kraftwerkian 'Transmission' as well as more future-facing and acid-laced bumpers such as 'Alien Intelligence' with plenty of cinematic and atmospheric bits like 'Radio Command' in between. A classy take on a classic sound.

Review: Goodbye Esmond, Hello Kelvin is a stylish and wide-angle look at electro that explores every different mood and groove possible. The opener is a mournful scene-setter with downbeat chords but hopeful wisps of melody. 'Micro Machines' takes flight on slick, wet claps and driving kicks and 'Beam' is a brain-cleansing bit of cosmic electro pureness. There is a coy electro-funk to 'Magic Man' that allows you to dream while your feet get stuck in and 'Citrus' is a gorgeous late-night cruise on far-sighted chords that brim with emotion. The second 12" is just as classy and packed with evocative feelings.

Review: It's been a minute since we last heard from Ste Roberts on a solo single, but now the Hypercolour chap is back with a drop for Alien Communications. Mutant electro is the order of the day, as Roberts mines his considerable experience to edge distinctive qualities into classic machine funk. A subtle sprinkling of discord here, a grubbiness in the signal chain there, and you have yourself a rock solid record which edges past the pretenders to hold its own as a legit slice of contemporary electro you'll actually want to pop and lock to.