Various - Magnetism, That Electricity
[Highpoint Lowlife]

Vinyl junkies alert! 'Magnetism...' the latest release from London imprint Highpoint Lowlife, is one record you will not want to let slip through your fingers. While the label encourages people to “upload, share and play” their music wherever and whenever, it is the dedication to such brilliantly packaged, special edition releases that earns the kudos here. This particular 12” double vinyl release certainly looks the part, while its eclectic content turns the label compilation concept on its head. Choosing to showcase four of their artists, each band is given one side of vinyl each to impress, which goes a long way more than the standard single track, found on most other collective releases. What’s more, all four bands here offer up fresh, unreleased material increasing the value for money stakes tenfold.

First up is UK-based chamber-rockers The Mandelbrot Set, whose 'Astronomy and Allied Sciences' is spread over four sections. This outfit seems to have gone through some sort of transition, morphing from an earlier standard post-rock sound into something that is a little more challenging. 'Part 1A' is a mournful, cello-driven piece that is suitably followed by the engaging '1B' and the melancholic euphoria of 'Part 2B'. However, it is the soaring crescendo of the final part where The Mandelbrot Set stand-out, utilizing staggered percussion and arching strings over a sturdy guitar progression, twisting and turning in true gut-wrenching fashion while containing all the drama and tension of an Edgar Allan Poe piece. Packing a real emotional punch, this group will appeal to fans of theatrical dynamics, not unlike King Crimson, with the powerful orchestration that forms an increasingly tightening noose around tempered guitar work proving to be a real treat.

Fisk Industries impresses too, with the dark, hip-hop infected electronica courtesy of Londoner Mat Ranson. It’s a gritty and grimey hybrid, resplendent in squelching Roots Manuva basslines, adrenalin charged beats, acutely spliced vocal samples and other inventive programming flourishes. 'Rhetoric' has a hypnotic aura surrounding it; the colliding beats will have your head nodding in appreciation in no time. 'Crowley', meanwhile, transports us deep into London’s core, ushering down a dimly-lit Dubstep path. The beats feel trapped inside your head, while the ethereal synth backdrop provides only glimmers of light ahead in the distance. This is clearly claustrophobic electronic sounds of the first order.

Scotland, despite the universal stereotype of bagpipes, haggis and sheep, has actually been at the forefront of the electronic scene for many years. From world-renowned clubs such as The Sub Club and The Arches, to revered record collective Soma and Boards of Canada’s IDM blueprints, to the new guys like Benbecula, Herb Recordings and the growing monthly Tronic series, there is a tremendous amount of talent in this small nation, a large quantity of it remaining untapped. Highpoint Lowlife clearly knows this, offering up not one but two acts that call Scotland home. Glaswegian trio Marcia Blaine School for Girls are clearly indebted to Autechre, specifically their 'Amber' and 'Incunabula' era. That being said, the glacial, revolving melody of 'Pinar' is gorgeous, while the cyclic 'The Ratio' will have you wishing Warp still produced music like this, instead of bland Indie and other faceless hype-bands.

This leaves Marcia Blaine man Ruaridh Law to round things off rather pleasantly with one of his many side-projects, The Village Orchestra. The near twenty-minute track, 'King of All Tears' harks back to the days of 'Artificial Intelligence' with nostalgic beats, crisp sounds and velvet synth work, while occasionally reminding of Underworld, only without the incessant, annoying vocals.

A thoroughly enjoyable outing from Highpoint Lowlife, that not only opens the doors to some excellent talent, but offers and insight into such a forward-thinking label that truly warrants further investigation.

Side A Tracklisting - Mandelbrot Set:

A1 'Astronomy And Allied Sciences 1a'
A2 'Astronomy And Allied Sciences 1b'
A3 'Astronomy And Allied Sciences 2a'
A4 'Astronomy And Allied Sciences 2b'

Side B Tracklisting - Fisk Industries:

B1 'Blood'
B2 'Gangu'
B3 'Rhetoric'
B4 'Crowley'

Side C Tracklisting - The Village Orchestra:

C1 'The King Of All Tears'

Side D Tracklisting - The Marcia Blaine School For Girls:

D1 'Pinar'
D2 'The Ratio'
D3 'Bottle Stain'