Review: Autechre – Move of Ten

The ten tracks offered on this EP see these UK electronic alchemists opting for refining and combining their previous sonic elixirs, rather than conjuring something altogether new. And the results are pretty damn good. Those expecting the abstract, glitch-frenzied madness of 2001’s amazing Confield will notice immediately how straight forward some of the beats are here. Tracks like “M62” and “Y7” are constructed on a steady, four-on-the-floor pulse, yet Autechre only use this decidedly accessible meter as a backbone for a concise, complex symphony of writhing analog synths, dizzying melodic interplay and masterful, layered production. Still, this is far from Daft Punk. Listeners pining for something a tad more obfuscated have the lead off track, “Etchogon-S,” which sounds like a drum machine gone completely haywire inside an echo chamber while 8-bit icicles come crashing down atop that giant floor piano in the movie Big. Thankfully, Autehcre’s keen ear for atmosphere is stronger than ever; Move of Ten feels icy, dark and foreboding, yet the songs are catchy, groovy and utterly alluring. This delicate balance is what makes Autechre among the best, and Move of Ten a fantastic album. Repeated listens and headphones are a must. (Warp Records, www.warp.net) Curran Faris