London Modular Alliance - Stray EP - Cultivated Electronics Ltd. Records | The Electro Review

London Modular Alliance
Stray EP
Cultivated Electronics Ltd. Records
TBR: 1st February


Somewhere in the heart of Hackney Wick, among a jungle of warehouses and recommissioned units, you can find London Modular Alliance. Their synthesiser shop holds many adventures for visitors from all over the city. Not only do they retail quality gear, they create unique combinations of equipment and put on regular music events. Previously booked to entertain in the V&A Museum and within strobe-lit venues at full volume, their latest EP pulls another string in the theatre of sound as the London Modular Alliance demonstrate Stray.


It begins with the eponymous track as fiery snares smash down within sprinkling hats. Kick is there, it thumps relentlessly as bass works in through a medley of percussion and keyboard. As we settle down with the dynamic rhythm, layered and multi-charactered, synthesiser washes through in generous waves of tonal aesthetic. Ambient atmospheres harness a quick and invigorating rhythm, its depth carries long-distance reflections and ripples downward and within.


Scrambles of static and echo drums portray in abstract imaginings as the next number reveals. Tonal sonics dapple like forest light as drums notch and grip with breathy intrigue. New rhythms are kneaded in, folding flurries of motivated rolls create a surge of kinetic energy. Haunting synthesiser harmonises in yearns of airy uniform. Bitter Taste carries tension and a pinch of suspicion as electronically designed beats and notes jump together on a highly charged vector.


More Than A Number opens with a drunken sounding synthesiser tone that swerves and bends as it moves through the crowd. Scatters of rhythm build like rain as the heavens gradually open. Just as it begins to rain, a new layer of rhythm is given the headline. Driving beats push through the streaks of film while passing landscapes and buildings adapt mysterious yet familiar shadow sculptures. A broad selection of interesting and interjecting sounds bring out avenues and directions that increase the scope of this thickly set yet graceful track.


Stray EP ends on a Sync 24 remix of More Than A Number. It opens with a massive sound that swoops in and takes over the room. Stuttering beats then pound against the woodwork as metallic clicks and taps add extra velocity. A pulsing drive twangs with synthetic music which clambers on the scaffolded beats. Complex angles and pressure-points line the lattice of textured rhythm while deep and cautious bass rummages around in the shadows. The continual persistence of rhythm eventually fades before the sound of bending tones which sweep in and curtain the previous intention. After a brief interlude and a pause, drawn out in a fade, the rhythm section cranks up once more.


You can find London Modular Alliance on Soundcloud


and on the London Modular Alliance website


Find music from Cultivated Electronics Ltd. on Bandcamp