Bunkerpop are a five piece group from the city of Hull. They cook music composed of the bass, the drums, the congas, the synths and have a guitar but where present it is percussive, they are not a guitar band. This debut double disc LP is a crowdfunded beauty and the first release on the Fast and Bulbous label FAB LP001. Produced by Bunkerpop and the groups Mark Blissenden it was recorded over three days at Hull’s Gorilla Studios and the legendary Hull Adelphi Club live music venue, the cities independent musical kapital.
The LP is a work of beats, pronouncements, supergroove mania, pop and the sounds of the world outside and predominantly an instrumental creation. It’s kind of electro but live, there are elements of jazz integrated within which sneak in and out. The album is a big one, working itself through four phases the sides being Red, Blue, White and Black on the two disks. No numbered tracks just colour. Splattered in the mix are influences ranging from Can, Stereolab, New Fast Automatic Dafodils, Holy Fuck, Neu, Talking Heads and Bentley Rhythm Ace but above all this is the sound of BUNKERPOP and no one else. It’s an album which grows revealing its delights the more one listens. Which is just how it should be.
Beautifully recorded and produced this is a record inspired by Krautrock making its entry on the Red Side with the smile inducing Kraftwerk influenced Start Something with a Stop. (Are You Ready) For Something, the debut single from the album and Bunkerpop Theme are a pair of tracks that love each other giving you the massage you need. They glide, sneak, beat and bop and like the rest of this album they just make you grin and swing.
The Blue side contains Newtown which has a vocal on it yaayyy, it pokes you sweetly and gently stomps. Don’t Upset The Hawk swings and squirts. It’s an organic pie of electro and audio clips and samples. Wet Brains is a lazy Sunday electro Jazz apple with a twist. It goes a bit mad Santana at the end or should I say sultana?
The White Side slips out and Stop takes you on a walk in the street to the cornershop. It’s got a kinda Trumpton feel to it. Kijk is a pointy shakeyerfunkyass back from the shop after scoring yer breakfast and not forgetting it track. Luister is the time to sit and take the nourishment in, imbibe the contraband of comfort food and get all skitzoid.
The Black Side. My only criticism of the album. This should have been the yellow side. It’s pure sunshine. Harmony Wheel, Lovely Eno and After the Warnings are all chilled out vibrant audio landscapes. Lovely Eno a journey into the glorious upland of the mind. It’s gorgeous and my favourite track on the whole album. It makes water come out of my eyes, my skin go chicken. It’s that perfect place in the partial shade under a massive oak on a sunny day on the most beautiful day in your life.
This is a fine album indeed, a wonderful audio drug for your pleasure. If you have leanings to the world of Krautrock then this record is for you. If you like to be inspired, then this is for you. You will love it. It’s a superior sonic journey and a fantastic delightful debut.
A WORD OF WARNING. Bunkerpop live are a whole different world. The live experience is one of controlled chaos the beats and grooves inducing instant and uncontrollable fits of dancing. They are a party band, people power in the disco hour. I’ve witnessed this and they are a mighty behemoth of live lustful sonic delight. Which is just the way it should be.
Words by KJ
Pre order their album ‘Bunkerpop’ here
Watch Bunkerpop dance here!
See them support The Invisible Orchestra on Good Friday at The Metronome/Nottingham with DJ Switch and Barbar Luck here and get your tickets from Gigantic here!
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