Biesmans & Vandesande Inglorious Express EP

Joris Biesmans and Damien Vandesande are a formidable duo with impressive backgrounds. Both artists used to have their studios at the same place in Berlin, where Vandesande got to work as part of widely-regarded performers dOP. Meanwhile Biesmans, originally from Belgium, is relatively new to the scene and releases his music on labels like Correspondant and Watergate, where he was an integral part of club working as their sound technician for many years before he started making music full-time. Together they have formed an awesome partnership through which they are channeling their combined experience and passion for exploring the sprawling cosmos of electronic music. Their debut on TAU is a collection of three stunning cuts, each incorporating indie influences and evoking a range of emotions. We start with the title track, ‘Inglorious Express’ with its twinkling melody designed to tug on your heartstrings and arouse an air of sentimentality. Combined with a soulful vocal clip, melancholy synth lines and a steadily increasing swell of positive energy, it makes for quite a trip. A moment of calm comes with the first breakdown, leading into the main body of the track which pushes the feeling on. By the time we reach the main breakdown, it’s time to really let loose. A second melody creeps in and signals the arrival of a euphoric crescendo. Next is ‘Prisoner Of Love’, a punchy grower with potent percussive power and a winding low end. Warped trumpets form the main motif of this cut, injecting a healthy amount of vibrant energy to proceedings as the beats add vitality to the track. Biesmans and Vandesande work the progression with panache, adding a middle section and bridge that gives us a chance to breathe before the jubilant trumpets return. Closing the EP is ‘Satellite Beach’ a more solemn composition which brings the mood down a touch, to begin with at least. This track features
a chirpy, earworm of a motif that has a jovial outlook, counteracting the morose b-line. As the track progresses, layers of bleep are added, giving the track depth and creating a symphony of positivity, time to close your eyes, put those hands up and lose yourself in the music.