The longer it goes on, the further out and challenging Andrea Parker gets with her Touchin’ Bass releases. I always say that the label leaves behind the electro stereotypes so prevalent elsewhere but recently the label seems hellbent on pushing the very boundaries of electronic music itself, with dancing a distant aside. Or simply making the most evil, disruptive racket possible. Ed, who hails from Ireland but lives in Barcelona, uses the barest hints of electro and even drum ‘n’ bass grooves on which to build walls of terrifying noise. ‘Giant Bassmantix’ sounds like someone trying to fight their way out of a cardboard box while being pelted with nasty booms and slashes. ‘Doubt’ is jerky and sinister with chattering like gophers gnashing on a dead android’s knob. ‘Ramsek’ peers through waves of static before emptying a portaloo over its head. ‘Memorandum’ sets up an eerie, clanking drone which manages to bring in a melodic riff despite the swarms of killer bugs. It’s then I realise that a major influence is late 60s psychedelia. Scary fun.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
