BALLARD

TRACKLISTING

A1 Kamikaze Space Programme - High Ri se
A2 Kamikaze Space Programme - Low Flying Aircraft
B1 Kamikaze S pace Programme - Concrete Island
B2 Kamikaze Space Programme - Day Of Cre ation



INFO
The track titles on Kamikaze Space P rogramme's latest offering for Mote-Evolver are taken from the chilling techno-c riticism and dystopian visions of the late J.G. Ballard's fiction, a thinker who se work has always lent itself well to music on the razor's edge of modernity. Keep in mind, though, that this is no simple tribute to that mastermind of specu lative fiction, but a translation of his highwire suspense and hyper-modern aest hetics into rhythmic and incisive electronic music.

The leadoff trac k "High Rise" is an adrenalized and twitchy creation built around a shuddering b ass riff and a cleverly corroded set of intense percussive hits, aided by elevat or shaft ambience and what seem like eerily obscured vocal samples. In short, it 's the perfect backing music for a very cautious trudge through a tower block pr esided over by unnamed and ominous forces. The follow-up "Low Flying Aircraft" i s another strong take on this affective mix of anxiety and release; its motif of tactile 'slamming door' percussion and metallic accents making listeners envisi on a labyrinthine complex full of rigidly enforced secrets and classified inform ation.

"Concrete Island" maintains the intensity level and dense urb an atmosphere of the A-side, pooling together numerous snatches of white noise, audio grit and alarm buzzes to form a demanding sound environment in which some distant ethereal touches are the only respite from the well-organized attack. Th e closing "Day of Creation" dials down the tempo, but certainly not the creativi ty and the drama, as deceptively delicate bell tones and tranquil synth pads com pete with a uniquely springy industrial rhythm and floor-shaking low-end frequen cies.

For those who are curious to hear the sounds of urban overload and dark dreams compressed into one coherent and captivating release, Kamikaze Space Programme has delivered in a big way with this EP. Fueled by the sensibili ty that the here-and-now is as strange and unpredictable as any science fiction, this music won't disappoint anyone who still looks to techno as the music of ne w ideas.