Rubens - Carnivalesque
[Herb Recordings]

It is full steam ahead over at Scotland’s Herb Recordings as they go about carving a niche in the congested Electronic world. Glasgow-based duo, Rubens are Herb’s flagship band, having been with the label almost from the outset. They have been locked away in their studio for the best part of a year, honing their album "Carnivalesque", on occasions completely re-working tracks from scratch. It is this sort of attention to detail that makes this a triumphant debut.

At their best, Rubens truly connects with some outstanding slices of up-tempo electronica. "Bank Holiday", for example, makes use of snappy, incessant beats reminiscent of "Crystal"-era Autechre. But much like the album title suggests, there is a playful nature to the music and this track draws on a wonderful, infectious melody too. The duo themselves claim the album is a balance of upbeat, head-nodding melodic electronic sounds and sombre downtempo music.

They are most definitely at their strongest when they let loose with their up-tempo, innovative beat patterns. "Breaking Into a Smile" reinforces the attention to detail aspects of the various production techniques on "Carnivalesque" (believe me, there is a staggering amount of software usage involved in this album). A driving rhythm forcefully propels this song forward as a festival style melody plays away in the background. The duo's long slog in the studio has paid off, with the subtle production nuances very apparent here.

The anthemic, 10-minute long "Ferris Wheel" provides another highlight and brings things down several notches for a couple of minutes. But as more inventive drum patterns are introduced, you are aware that such techniques are a hallmark of the “Carnivalesque" sound. Again it recalls early Autechre, but they never produced anything as sweet-sounding as this.

The moodily infectious "Giraffe" shows Rubens from a different angle, with dulcet tones that have an immediate calming effect. This track represents the best of the down tempo, sombre work. I can imagine putting "Giraffe" on in the early hours of the morning, soaking in its laid-back grooves and ambient cloud.

But again it’s those more upbeat numbers that really hit home. “Puggies” (Scottish slang for a fruit machine) seems to capture the excitement of being at a carnival. It recalls all of the attributes of a festival atmosphere. The flashing lights, the pounding music, the noise from the machines and the joyous expressions on people’s faces. It drives forward from the word go and refuses to let go.

The penultimate track, “Winter Broth” seems to blend both Rubens’ upbeat nature and their and their laid-back leanings and this massive sounding track provides a satisfying end to the album.

“Carnivalesque” was intended to be an album of “head-nodding melodic electronic music”; every box is checked with regards to that statement, making this a fine debut from the Rubens team and another goal for Herb Recordings.

Carnivalesque Track Listing:

01. Vertical Hold
02. Breaking Into Smile
03. Giraffe
04. Bank Holiday
05. Ferris Wheel
06. Puggies
07. Cayla's Third
08. Blue Belles Burn Slowly
09. Winter Broth
10. After Now Is Next