Bdrmm's 'Microtonic' Review: Hull Shoegazers Make a Daring Electronic Leap

Explore Bdrmm's latest record 'Microtonic,' where the Hull shoegazers blend genres and confront reality post-pandemic.

A New Sound Awaits

This is not the album you’d expect from Bdrmm, the creators of what some are calling a “modern-day shoegaze classic.” The Hull quartet has taken a bold step away from their traditional sound, moving from the pedalboard straight onto the dancefloor with their third record, 'Microtonic.' It feels as if they’ve emerged from the rave at the crack of dawn, lost in a haze of sound and unsure of what’s real. Welcome to the captivating world of ‘Microtonic.’

Defying Expectations with Bold Choices

From the very first track, Bdrmm pulls a fast one, challenging our expectations. On ‘Goit,’ which refers to a man-made stream in Yorkshire, the band veers away from their usual soundscape with skittering hi-hats and pulsating techno beats. The vocals? A surprise twist, as it’s not their usual frontman, Ryan Smith, but guest vocalist Syd Minsky-Sargeant from Working Men’s Club. His chilling delivery resonates as he narrates the haunting aftermath of the pandemic with lines like,

“Mortality, spasms, terror, death… there’s nothing left.”

Exploring the Unexpected

Things only get weirder from there. The track ‘Clarkycat’ features a menacing, detuned melody that feels like a wild ride through an acid trip, reminiscent of a collaboration between Jamie xx and Bicep. Meanwhile, ‘The Noose’ showcases a gurgling acid bass that harkens back to the ’90s. But fear not—the band hasn’t completely swapped guitars for synths. ‘Lake Disappointment’ sports a drum and bass-inspired rhythm, but the acoustic drum kit infuses the track with a more organic, rushing energy. The title track itself fuses the atmospheric elements of ambient music with shoegaze influences.

A Reflection on Despair and Hope

What truly stands out about this record is the urgency in Smith’s writing. The pandemic brought about so much destruction, and 'Microtonic' seeks both to acknowledge that painful injustice and to forge a peaceful path forward. The track ‘Snares,’ a jerky future garage number layered with grand, enveloping synths, evokes this sentiment beautifully with lyrics like,

“The thoughts we both shared together / Are all that we can rely on / In all the years spent together / We found out that it don’t matter.”

This inner conflict adds another layer to the emotional complexity of the album.

The stunning ‘Infinity Peaking’ features Smith crooning,

“Forgiving myself one more time, again / Staring out at the world I have created / So lost, so lost…”

Here, we see the struggle of self-acknowledgment amidst chaos.

The Liminal Space of 'Microtonic'

If you examine a piano, you’ll notice black and white keys representing semitones, but the microtones—the sounds between those keys—remain elusive. These microtones can be uncovered by bending a guitar string or detuning a synth. The magic of 'Microtonic' resides in that liminal space: it’s a mesmerizing blend of shoegaze and dance, despair and beauty—a thrilling foray into uncharted territory by a band that continues to evolve creatively.

Details

• Record Label: Rock Action
• Release Date: February 28, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

• What genre is Bdrmm's 'Microtonic'? 'Microtonic' blends shoegaze with electronic and dance music elements, showcasing a departure from their previous sound.
• Who is the guest vocalist on 'Goit'? The guest vocalist is Syd Minsky-Sargeant from Working Men’s Club, who delivers a haunting performance on the track.
• How does 'Microtonic' reflect the pandemic's impact? The album addresses themes of mortality and loss, capturing the emotional aftermath of the pandemic while seeking a hopeful path forward.
• What is the significance of the track 'Lake Disappointment'? This track combines acoustic drums with a drum and bass-inspired rhythm, melding organic energy with electronic influences.
• When is the release date for 'Microtonic'? 'Microtonic' is set to be released on February 28, 2025.

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