Available on: NonPlus 12″

‘Harrier ATTK’

Like his previous NonPlus release, the Machine and Voice EP, the two tracks offered on ‘Gershwin’/’Harrier ATTK’ show a different, colder side to Actress, in keeping with the label’s general aesthetic.

‘Gershwin’ is a crushed electro cut reminiscent of Drexciya, Gescom and Chiastic Slide-era Autechre. 16th rhythms propel pointillistic synth harmonies and clicky hi-hats, joined above and below by earnest, delay-drenched melodies and constantly varying snare explosions. A metallic reduction of fidelity distinguishes this as very much an Actress take on his Detroit influences, but rendered in wireframe compared to the thickness of something like his Thriller/Splazsh track ‘Hubble’.

‘Harrier ATTK’ continues the warfare theme set by Machine and Voice’s ‘Und U Boat’, and is of similar mood. A slow-motion, airborne ballad, it is nudged forwards by a simple, cracked drum machine and low, rolling square waves, joined only by a high harmony as development. Static brush sweeps drench the upper frequencies, while clicks and clunks add a muted, dreamy airforce assault narrative, placing the listener right in the cockpit.

Contrasting the fug-warmth of Splazsh and recent remixes, ‘Gershwin’/’Harrier ATTK’ is most reminiscent of Actress’ early style on the No Tricks EP, and these two Airwolf-like jams are solid additions to the NonPlus catalogue and a satisfying variation of style.

Steve Shaw