MIC Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The MIC label has undoubtedly been one of the best things to happen this year. The London independent kicked off a few months ago with an excellent hidden gem by Mike Collins, a fringe drum machine enthusiast from the 80s, which was a record that we saw as totally unmissable (and one which flew of our shelves like hotcakes!). The imprint is back with LAPS, a cold wave duo who are making similarly stripped-back machine music, except that these two girls have only been around for a few years. This is a great signing from an indie, because it's the sort of crew that will likely be picked up by a bigger label in the future. The duo's sounds linger in mid-air beautifully, from the opening shots and burst of "Gush", to the more dancehall-flavoured chants of the leading "Who Me?", and the pensive twists and turns of "Ode To Daughter". "Edges" oozes a thick bass amid stepping drums, whereas "Lady Bug" offers the only real moment of r&b delight, all filtered through a raw and loose sort of framework. Top stuff. We love this label.