Android Icaro - Coal & Citrus

Android Icaro

Coal & Citrus
​self-released

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​

The duo from Cape Town, South Africa comprised of Levi (production/programming/synths/ guitar/vocals) and David "Mescaline Gandalf" Arnot  (guitar/FX) make up Android Icaro. Their release Coal & Citrus is an electronic album that melds elements of sub-genres like glitch and drum and bass with dark overtones that often feel as if they are being generated in an alien spacecraft.

The beats hit hard not unlike that of a group like Boards of Canada while elements like oscillating synths, drones and micro percussion provide the canvas of sounds. It’s obvious the duo have production skills as well as some foresight into how a song can captivate you. The ability to combine disparate tones and textures without taking up too much space is one of the most impressive aspects about Coal & Citrus.

The alien planet type atmosphere is established on the first track “Rubber Teeth.” Some of the synths are sounds you might hear in the engineering room preparing to go into warp speed. Although there are alien elements, which will bring to mind sci-fi movies they also incorporate delayed guitar parts, which reminded me of band like Out Hud. The glitch elements are well done and make it head-phone worthy. 

“Mixx Disk 1996” is a very glitch heavy song that establishes another alien groove but is still undeniable smooth sounding. There is some dissonance at points but it doesn’t go off the rails. “Sickly Nostalgia” is the most mysterious and atmospheric sounding track between the reverb laced piano and ominous pads.

The duo mixes things up on the last track entitled “Purple Bull Unicorn (Retro Mix)” which has a faster BPM that you could argue has elements of jungle and even techno. One of the band's best moments is when they go hard and abrasive. Right around a-minute-and-a-half in a string lead synth starts knocking down doors while multiple percussive elements attack you from all angles.  

Coal & Citrus is a solid release from Android Icaro. Fans of artists like Boards of Canada, Autechre and Lali Puna should appreciate this.

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