Stay+ - Arem

Stay+ (Stay Positive) are the core duo of Matt Farthing and Christopher Poole and the artists formerly known as Christian AIDS, their name changed following a cease and desist order by the similarly named UK-based charity. After a string of well received releases including the stunning ‘Fever’, they are back with a new EP which features five tracks alongside an intriguing short film entitled ‘The Buzzer’, courtesy of long term visual collaborator Deerhead.

‘Call Him’ starts off this collection in spectacular style, an almost electronic marching beat joined by an invasion of spectral vocal snippets before a rave like baseline appears as if from nowhere. Many of these elements are recycled in ‘Hush Money’, this time with deep almost house style female vocals, lush string effects and pulsing synths. Whilst not a bad track, it doesn’t really go anywhere or leave much of a lasting impression.

Previous single ‘Dandelion’ takes a more song-based approach with vocals courtesy of Sunn O))) frontman and fellow Mancunian Daniel O’Sullivan. It has distinct undertones of Friendly Fires in the subtle build and dreamy vocal delivery which flirts with chill-out territory before cutting loose and showing it’s party credentials. After the brain melting feedback heavy reverb treated vocals of the title track it’s back to more nuanced territory on the closing ‘Dandelion Seed’. Featuring the distinctive vocals of Psychologist, it’s a forward thinking fusion of scattergun beats and psychedelia that kicks back in hard just as you expect it to fade it into the post clubbing sunset.

Whether this record is named after an endangered language or a drug for relieving insomnia there is plenty here to indulge your nocturnal cravings. Disco biscuits not required.