Engine7 - Tempertantrum (11.36 am)
[Herb Recordings]

As the old adage goes – “start as you mean to go on”. Glasgow-based Engine7 could not have asked for a better break than supporting The Orb on his debut live performance. But then, ambition has always been part of Alan McNeil’s make-up. Such desire has seen his project morph from one man armed with a laptop and guitar, into a sprawling six-strong collective. Indeed, think big and the rewards will come thick and fast. “Tempertantrun (11.36am)”, cherry-picked from forthcoming album “Me, But Perfect”, is already a cornerstone and fan favourite of the E7 live show and its recorded counterpart is suitably poised to win McNeil fans left, right and centre.

It seems praise from the likes of Sigur Ros and Julien Neto is not unwarranted as this track is an outstanding piece of contemporary, melodic, up-tempo electronica. Brimming with shoegaze undertones, this furious five minute slab of energy, benefits from two minutes worth of engaging build-up, as swirling oscillations race tempered synth theatrics to the finish line. Exploding with a vibrant burst of energy, the Chemical Brothers-like beats and twilight glockenspiel chimes create a dazzling effect that is the aural equivalent of a colourful, firework-strewn 4th of July sky. Explosions in the Sky indeed! Thom Yorke once sang that “ambition makes you look pretty ugly”. Not on this form, Thom.

Tracklisting:

1. Tempertantrum (11.36am)
2. Sunrise, Catalonia (7.14am)