aM – Belong To Galaxy

The array of adjectives offered to describe Japanese electronica duo aM on the press release to their debut album is enjoyable enough on its own. Anyone up for hearing some 'Sparkle Bleep Galaxy', or 'Spinning Nostalgic Music Magic'? Of course you are.

On that count, aM don't disappoint. The pair, consisting of former Supercar member Kodai and producer Miyuki, meld euphoric electronica with futuristic post-rock forays in a manner which is pure 'Atmosphere Stratosphere', as their publicist might say. The tracks generally consist of arpeggiated synthesisers bristling through swathes of luscious shoegaze fuzz and titanous guitar/drum programming; but it's the free-thinking song structures here which constantly propel Belong To Galaxy upwards, like a spatially-unhinged, sonic rocket.

In more conventional hands, Belong To Galaxy might be a bore; but its off-the-wall expressiveness and meticulous composition are truly 'Space Terrific Cool'; and that's one I came up with myself. [Martin Skivington]