Beppu Coercion

Recored while reading Stanley Milgram’s ‘Obedience to Authority’ the feelings of claustrophobia and brutality are slowly revealed across the album. The set opens with ‘Agentic State’ - an exercise in atmosphere and rhythm before moving into the more confined ‘Obedience Experiment’. On side closer ‘Antecedent Conditions’ distant percussion interacts with analogue synths lying on a bed of industrial atmospheres.

The second side is where things take on a darker and more oppressive turn. ‘Situational Obligations’ ramps up the distortion levels alongside a hypnotic, overridden bassdrum, propelling the incessant keys to create a suffocating listening experience. ‘Remote Feedback’ keeps up the driving momentum before ‘Touch Proximity’ brings the album to a close by taking a steps back without offering any comfort.

Those who have noted the changes to the sound of The Boats of late will not doubt draw parallels to this latest solo transmission from one half of the duo.