Stylish and sinister collide on Microtonic, a capable effort from bdrmm. Their third album marks collaboration and confidence as the main selling points. After such tremendous work on I Don’t Know, hearing where bdrmm is taking their sound is a real thrill. Heavy club tones, the repetition and volatility of that scene, and that sense of crushed shoulders and spilt drinks, are found almost immediately. Microtonic is not a bouncy set of show fillers but a narrative powerhouse, and what a welcome experience it is to have a band on the rise soak up their influences and suggest the spasms of creativity are an act against our will. Gone are the indie-adjacent tones and in comes an electronics-heavy post-punk sound which the band explores in its entirety. What a welcome treat it is, and what a daring sound Microtonic aims for.
Opener Goit, the Working Men’s Club-featuring track, sets the mood incredibly and, crucially, acts as a well-needed build to single John on the Ceiling. The latter track makes more sense with the context of those machines and synths, those tech-reliant tones sound monumental when listened to as a whole, rather than flicked through as is the case for other releases this year. Bdrmm is not hiding behind these electrified moments. A song like Infinity Peaking does not just get to the core of their emotional high points but understands the shift to this style. Fears of losing their way are countered by a new route. It is a bold move, a sincere gamble, and Microtonic pays off. Have your moments of sentimentality, engage with those club-like beats, it all blurs together well for Microtonic. There is an earnestness to losing yourself to a beat or dance, and pieces like Snares marry the spoken-word concepts and electronic beat with such an immaculate result.
Atmosphere is everything for bdrmm on this release and their consistency, their unrelenting desire to build this fresh, intoxicating world of theirs, is paramount to the thrill of Microtonic. We are in the electric field, cultivated well by the Hull-based powerhouse. An Olivesque feature on In the Electric Field brings about a soft sci-fi suggestion but never lingers on it, instead the tone shapes a crushing high point for Microtonic. Self-assurance is crucial for a release like Microtonic. A risk taken around every corner and the result is staggering. Microtonic is the next step so many bands want to take but are unsure of how to get there. Bdrmm has no trouble in reaching their destination, in filing a broad yet brilliant piece of electronic heavy work which redefines their attitude and appearance.
Instrumental joys like Clarkycat develops the new sound bdrmm have their hands on. Microtonic bleeds into one wild experience thanks to those similar-sounding yet ever-innovative electronic additions. It forms the core of their sound and from there they feel relieved, rejuvenated and inspired into new decisions. Admirable work from a band with plenty in the tank. Microtonic is an atmospheric powerhouse and when that suggestion of a darker world underneath the already rotting surface is drifted from, album closer The Noose ties it all back together. Are we too late to save ourselves from the blast of artificiality, from the hang-ups of a generation struggling against the actions of those above? Bdrmm does not find out on this release, nor should we expect them to, but the sense of community in the booming electronic scene is a welcome embrace on those final, cold Winter mornings.
