Rating: NNNN
The fifth EP from local duo Jokers of the Scene is a brief but riveting take on expressive dance music. A reaction to the ubiquitous, monotonous siren-synth trope, J0T5 has bot-like techno at its heart, with elements of airy trance, squelching acid house and industrial menace circuiting through.
The five songs were written to provide a thematically linked, experiential listen. Closer Killing Jokes II turns the delicate melody of opener Killing Jokes I into something anthemic and slow-building with distortion. And while it’s tempting to hit repeat on twerky Black Mountie, with its rolling peaks of layered fuzz, thudding bass and flickering synths, or In Order To Trance, with its heavy schizoid bliss, playing the album all the way through makes its serious intent clear.
Accompanying it is the J0T5 RMXD EP featuring reworks by Daniel Avery, Hrdvsion, Gingy & Bordello, Babe Rainbow and others.
Top track: Black Mountie
