BULLION – LOOP THE LOOP LP
2016-03-07Having crafted an unmistakable identity in the realm of leftfield electronic pop with releases on Young Turks, R&S and Honest Jon’s since 2011, London producer Nathan Jenkins finally drops his debut album as Bullion. Loop the Loop arrives via his own DEEK Recordings and features guest appearances from the label’s roster, including folk singer Laura Groves, plus none other than Sampha. He stars on the lush title track with his characteristically soulful melismatic backing vocals and additional keys, but the true stars of the song are Jenkins’ effortless singing and the fluffy arrangement of weightless, glistening synths and elastic bass lines. Taking cues from 1970s and 80s experimental pop such as Devo, Holger Czukay (Can) and Bill Nelson (Bebop Deluxe), Jenkins works with easily digestible patterns and melodies, but questions traditional song structures: he repeats sequences like broken records (‘Health’) and appropriates forms, presenting his unique take on ballads (‘Get To The Heart Of It’) and dance pop (‘Speed’).