Warm Digits – Wireless World

Newcastle duo Warm Digits take listeners on a psychedelic ride with Wireless World, their first album for Memphis Industries.

Album Review by Adam Turner-Heffer | 01 Aug 2017
Album title: Wireless World
Artist: Warm Digits
Label: Memphis Industries
Release date: 4 Aug

Warm Digits have been cracking on at as steady a pace as their krautrock beats will allow since 2010, now reaching their third LP, the loose-concept album Wireless World. The project of Newcastle-based musicians Andrew Hodson and Steve Jefferies, Warm Digits represent the city's tight-knit music community, often collaborating with presumed forefathers Field Music.

Wireless World is yet another album to reflect on "black mirrors", a common trope in music ever since Arcade Fire's song of the same name, but the record also takes the time to comment on issues closer to home, such as on the track Fracking Blackpool. The Newcastle duo cross live drums with euphoric techno melodies in the style of Jaki Liebezeit, the Can drummer who passed away earlier this year. As a result, the band can, and do, sound a little bit too close to Toronto's Holy Fuck, but their British charm gives them their own identity.

Despite the themes, Wireless World is an extremely fun, if slightly exhausting, listen as its never-ending rhythms and multi-coloured synths take the listener on a psychedelic ride. The record's vocal guest spots break up proceedings from monotony, such as Peter Brewis of Field Music (End Times), Sarah Cracknell of St. Etienne (Growth of Raindrops) and standout Mia La Metta of Beards (Better Friction). Ultimately, it's an enjoyable listen which could do with some more variation. 

Listen to: Two to Four Degrees, End Times, Better Friction

http://warmdigits.co.uk