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Leila – U&I
Warp

Taking a walk on the wilder side of filthy electro, Warp’s newest release is the kind of album to keep you on your toes. Leila’s synths are harsh, bubbling away and rising a-melodically through sheets of digital distortion. It’s not pretty but it’s certainly engaging. First track proper, the militant and glitching ‘Activate 1′, is perhaps the most instant and direct track here. Its bassline descends and everything else follows it down over and over again. It doesn’t offer any release, any moment of euphoria, it’s just noise with a beat for two-and-a-half minutes. And it works. Many of U&I’s standout moments come via Mt. Sims’ vocal contributions, adding a twisted human element to a world of synthetic noise. Disturbing and brilliant, just dive in. Ian Maleney

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KEY TRACKS: ‘ACTIVATE 1′, ‘COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER’, ‘(DISAPPOINTED CLOUD) ANYWAY’.
FOR FANS OF: LIARS, APHEX TWIN, SQUAREPUSHER

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