Luke Abbott At Juno Download

Review: In the fine tradition of Border Community, Luke Abbott comes correct with this selection of winsome techno designed to tug at the heartstrings through heavy deployment of gently detuning synths. "Brazil" in both its incarnations here shimmers with the hazy charm you expect form Mr Abbott, while "Grumble" has a real edge to it thanks to some wilful distortion. The krautrock tendencies of Etienne Jaunet's remix makes it our pick of the two (admittedly sublime) tweaks, although the Gold Panda version is well worth checking too.

Review: Fast making a name for himself after a brace of EP's for Border Community and Output (RIP), Luke Abbott continues to dazzle with these four new gems of futuristic, motorik tech-house on the Allez Allez imprint Amazing Sounds. The title track is simply stunning - a two-chord wonder of spacey and gliding synths anchored by minimal kicks and claps. "One Hundred & Thirteen" is just as heart-tuggingly beautiful, while "Present" ups the tempo to around 150bpm and rides a brilliant glitchy-melody. The moody drones of 'Schmitt Swell' rounds things off nicely and makes for a vital and highly impressive EP from Abbott.

Review: Clearly, the sensational season enjoyed by the city's football side has had no effect on Norwich resident Luke Abbott. That's not to say that Modern Driveway is a dour and subdued EP - there's plenty of beauty to be found, particularly on the vintage synth-laden "Hand Drawn Maps" and ambient cut "Ovals" - but it's hardly laden with joy. There's something pleasingly bittersweet and melancholic about most of the tracks, which come loaded with the sort of fuzzy synth sounds and bubbling analogue rhythms usually found in IDM productions. The title track is the most obvious "house" production, but even then it comes cloaked in tear-jerking emotion. Perhaps Mr Abbott is an Ipswich fan.