Wrestling, new EP by Reptaliens

Wrestling, the new EP by Portland duo Reptaliens, is a strongly produced set of songs featuring swirling synths, haunting vocals and strong, well-paced drum beats. It is a departure from the whimsical pop-leaning music that brought them their initial success. They’ve substituted synths for guitars and drum machines for their analogue counterpart. The result is a new-wave atmosphere, with insistent bass lines grounding the songs, providing sure direction for the music. It is darker than anything the duo has released previously, and while the fabric of the music is still very much in the dreamscape vein, the introduction of synths elevates the emotion and intensity, with deceptively funky grooves swirling through the tracks. 

The change in tone began when Josh Hodges (STRFKR) lent the duo a Roland SH-2 bass synth, an instrument that galvanised their love affair with electronica and opened Reptaliens’ eyes to the possibilities of branching out from conventional instruments. The EP is such a departure from their previous sound that it was initially going to be released as a side project, before the two decided that it belonged as a part of the Reptaliens catalogue. It is a move that for fans hopefully signifies a permanent foray into electronica, which coupled with the bands signature sci-fi tendencies, produces a unique and enticing sound.

Wrestling is the first EP produced, recorded and mastered by the duo themselves: Bambi and Cole Browning, a husband and wife team. Bambi’s ethereal vocals compliment the layered synth and drum machine backdrop beautifully. They’re currently living fully sustainably and off-the-grid on a farm in Portland and are hot in pursuit of their third LP, which no doubt will continue their experimentation and genre exploration, hopefully with the post-punk electronic influence which has served them so beautifully on this EP. 

Wrestling is available now via  Captured Tracks / Remote Control.

Reptaliens
reptaliens.bandcamp.com
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