Urban Homes - Centres

Comprising members of PTTRNS, Yage and Airpeople, Urban Homes are a collective of musicians from Cologne’s experimental avant-electronica and progressive rock scenes. And the foursome have arrived at the overtly dancefloor-directed sound of debut EP, ‘Centres’, almost by chance.

It was forced upon the group when their drummer went on a long hiatus, leaving the remaining members to start afresh with only a rudimentary Roland TR-707 drum machine. From these primitive beginnings they have established a winning sound that coalesces around established electronic tropes from house, blissed out Balearic pop and the polyrhythmic-like grooves of the early 80s post-punk vanguard. If Talking Heads had relocated to late 80s loved-up Ibiza this is perhaps the sort of record they might have created.

Each of the five tracks here is perfectly realised, with due care and attention given to every dynamic. It begins with the deceptively alluring, slinky disco groove of ‘Ivory Tower Guard’, whose soft focus framing is indicative of the EP’s measured sound. ‘Aurora’ is slightly more expansive with big overarching synths featuring over the pitter-patter of that much loved drum machine. This is gossamer smooth, translucent electro pop at its finest.

As the EP progresses the songs get ever more elongated and ever more ecstatic. ‘Ayran Gifbek Mersi’ is stripped back, focusing on an insidious locked groove that feels like it could go on forever. The music here firmly steeped in the European tradition of repetitive surrender to the hypnotic groove à la Moroder, but there is a degree of mystery retained in Urban Homes’ productions that lifts it beyond pastiche.

‘Full Trance Effect’ does not quite have the effect that its title suggests and it’s by far the most traditional ‘band-based’ song here with guitar, bass and drums to the fore. It is heavily suggestive of some of The Rapture’s most louche moments and is complemented by some wonderfully mellifluous saxophone.

The final track ‘Untitled Luv’ is the EP’s real standout moment. Twelve minutes of floating electronic ecstasy; it’s the highlight of one of 2013’s potential hidden treasures.