Hold on a minute, before you compile those albums of the year shortlists – because here is a record that should be gracing the polls. Memory Tapes is a one-man band, the moniker for New Jersey’s Dayve Hawke, and he makes electronic music of a rare beauty, moving between reflective instrumentals and glacial electro disco as he does so. There are obvious 80s references here, but they’re done affectionately – so we have reminders of New Order’s Peter Hook in amongst some of the basslines, while other references to My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins, but the music is always well defined, never short of a good hook line or a beautifully arranged sound picture. The strength of the song writing is also apparent through Hawke’s spacey vocals, and after several listens it becomes impossible to take off the stereo.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
