Xor EP vinyl

While NPM's first release, which dropped earlier this year, was a classical-tinged drone EP courtesy of Giulio Aldinucci, this follow-up from Brighton-based Mause explores a simultaneously melodious, skittish, picturesque and acid-fired sound that sits somewhere between ambient techno, IDM and Rephlex-style "braindance". He first opts for a deep and beautiful sound on the thoughtful 'LocriLogAcid Seq', before ratcheting up the tempo (and minor key melodies) on the sprightly 'SeqtuningMLogAcid'. Over on side B, 'Strimsang (Beacon 4)' bustles, bubbles and spits impressively to avoid easy categoriziation, while 'Sunday Multi Acid Seq20d' is high-grade IDM/ambient techno fusion that reminded us a little of Holovr's similarly 90s-inspired works.