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Feb 28, 2025 Web Exclusive By Matt the Raven

Microtonic is a marked shift from bdrmm’s first two albums, 2020’s Bedroom and 2023’s I Don’t Know. The new album shows a noticeable loosening of the tension that permeated the band’s earlier work. While the post-shoegaze/dream pop DNA is still very much present, it’s been infused with a newfound sense of spaciousness, a relaxed, almost psychedelic vibe.

Taking influence from different spans of electronica, the rich synth melodies create a gentle pulse that drives the songs forward without ever feeling rushed or nervous while providing a hypnotic quality to the rhythms. The shadowy wall of sound is still there, of course—that’s the bdrmm promise—but it’s less dense and less claustrophobic. Radiohead’s adventurous experimentation and The Cure’s tuneful hopefulness also remain intact, but without the weight of post-punk’s steely, existential weariness.

The album’s third single, “Lake Disappointment,” is the best example of this newfound sonic palette, with its warped bass line and hurling rhythm driving the song to its taut conclusion. Other welcome diversions include some dreamy female vocals, courtesy of Olivesque (aka Olivia Rees of Nightbus), that add yet another layer to the sonic tapestry, making “In the Electric Field” one of the album’s best tracks.

Although the album is flush with new elements, fans of bdrmm’s first two records needn’t worry. There’s still plenty of guitar-based, ethereal melancholy permeating throughout, replete with moody, yet clever, arrangements. The instrumental title track, along with other crack tunes such as “Infinity Peaking” and “Snares,” fall into this category. Elsewhere, the curiously named “Clarkycat” and the slow burning “Sat in the Heat” are more atmospheric with a sense of exploration and a willingness to let the music wander and meander and allow space for instrumental passages to unfold and develop.

The not-so-subtle electronic textures—with hints of Krautrock rhythms—heard on Microtonic add a contemporary edge to the classic bdrmm sound. It’s a delicate balance, but bdrmm manage to pull it off. They’ve created an album that feels both familiar and fresh, rooted in the past but firmly looking forward. (www.bdrmm.co.uk)

Author rating: 7.5/10