At home, a Bicep album is as close to that festival feeling as you can get.
On one side their sound is anthemic, with uplifting melodies and hypnotic peaks. It transcends a familiar feeling of the future. Some Bicep songs remind you of memories that haven’t happened yet – and nights that have happened and will stick with you forever.
Along with their live act, they do open spaces better than anyone. A festival tent with Bicep is always bursting at capacity.
But there’s another side to their music.
For a lot of us, it might have taken a global pandemic to realise the Belfast’s duo’s at-home-listening merit. Isles – released in the first part of 2021 – couldn’t be listened to elsewhere.
A lot of the album was made to complement their sell-out live tour. The duo hoped to refine and clarify their sound out in the open, ready for release.
Coronavirus made this impossible – but maybe that means Isles was modified and mastered with the home-listener in mind. Either way, the quality would remain.
But even without Isles, there’s no-doubt that Bicep would sell-out any arena that could handle them. They’ve crafted their own unique rave-breakbeat-house sound. It’s hard to make it in that genre blend without someone mentioning comparisons to the Belfast pair.
The Bicep duo is one of electronic music’s best production partnerships. Here’s a look at five of their finest releases and remixes.
Bicep – Glue
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Ninja Tune – 2017
Glue is a definitive Bicep track. Its first second drum pattern transcends a frenzy, no matter which dancefloor it fills. At festivals it’s met with roars which carry-on throughout. You don’t listen in that kind of setting; you soak it in. Every kick, the high-pitched bass, the delicately reverbed three letter lyrics. This track has its own structure with no apologies.
For Bicep, it starts fast. Breakbeat drums, of course – but it’s the synth-hook that epitomises that proper rave feeling. The track provides a melancholy of both past and future. The YouTube video is a homage to that. Rave memories and rave beginnings. Glue will stick forever.
Isaac Tichauer – Higher Level (Bicep Remix)
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LOFT Records – 2016
Isaac Tichauer’s Higher Level joined an early label movement. As LOFT Records’ third release, the London music factory already had the likes of Ejecca, Dorsia and Citizen in print – but it was this Bicep remix that brought the label a new level of exposure.
This track has all the right Bicep flavours. A rattling, subtly build percussion introduces the remix. The original lyrics hang over the squeezing synth-lead, which gradually surges from right to left, moving through the entire song – but it’s the bass melody that gives this track its thoughtfulness. It separates it from your generic rave tune.
Bicep – Atlas
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Ninja Tune – 2021
Atlas is Isle’s first track. It was released as a single back in March 2020 on Ninja Tune and was originally planned to coincide with their sold-out August O2 Academy Brixton back-to-back shows in the same year. Instead it was brought forward, with the rest of the album being carefully polished during the coronavirus pandemic.
When Bicep released Atlas just as the global health crisis began to erupt, they didn’t know which way it would go. Nobody did. Fittingly – not purposely – Atlas starts with the same blinded foresight. You’re unsure which path this song will take. Its strong drum pattern and hypnotic vocals leave things open, until that squeaky synth-melody kicks in and floods your eardrums with energy. Then you know where Bicep is taking you.
Bicep & Hammer – Dahlia
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Feel My Bicep – 2015
Bicep’s Dahlia EP collaboration with Hammer is one for the diehards. On the B-side, Rays and Seagulls – produced solely by Bicep – are two lesser-known productions. Both are of that same quality, though the style of the two follow a bouncier pattern. Dahlia, however, takes on a recognisable tone. After all, Hammer was part of the Feel My Bicep blog beginnings.
A keyboard melody introduces and holds the song, before percussion elements are sprinkled bit-by-bit. A piano house feeling is strong, but you know Dahlia is taking a different path. Add some signature Bicep vocals and you’ve got a trademark track from two world-class Feel My Bicep blog originators.
Bicep – Just
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Aus Music – 2015
Bicep’s ability to marry both the past and present – both in style and feeling – has been mentioned more than once in this producer showcase. Sorry, but it has to be mentioned again. Just does just that. This is Bicep at their brilliant best.
Starting slower than what we’re used to, Bicep tease anticipation with a simple drum pattern and sonic kick. Again, which route will they take? Admittedly I had to double-check their Higher Level remix once the melody arrived. They’re completely different, yet I thought they were the same or at least similar. That’s how powerful Bicep productions are. Each production leaves the same signature, written in different ink. Bicep flood the listener with a familiar, sentimental and future feeling that can only be achieved through their music.
Which Bicep production is your favourite? Who would you like to see featured next in our Producer Showcase? Let us know over on Facebook and Instagram below.
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