Plank – Hivemind

Manchester's Plank play with Krautrock in a slightly more groove-based way than fellow motorik warriors BEAK>, delivering a head-nodding collection of math-y, riff-packed instrumental rock on their second album. Analogue synths, drums, bass and guitar interlock in inventive and challenging ways, managing to channel the classic likes of CAN and NEU! without sounding derivative. Aphidelity incorporates louche cosmic disco; Dark Web's initially gentle post-rock explodes into tightly-wound riffage; while Swarm Behaviour's looping, psychedelic fretwork and growling bass linger long in the memory.

The band are constantly playing with structure, past masters of the shift from quiet, clean guitar sounds into crunchy, percussive post-rock motifs. The beatless wash of Drone shows they have an understanding of texture and atmospherics even without the riffs, while the melancholic, stargazing expanse of Waterboatmen is a gentle, understated highlight. Field recordings and library sounds round out the sonic landscape, making Hivemind a satisfying experience, worthy of many a repeat listen. [Bram E. Gieben]