Mmoths, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London

Sometimes music suits a specific place or time, a mood or a moment. Given the right circumstances, a well made piece of music can be transformed from mere background noise into something that soundtracks and takes on a unique, individual meaning. These are the songs that mean most to us, the music that stays with you.

Whilst the serenity of Mmoths may fittingly soundtrack an escapist trip to somewhere unusual, some inspired university course-work, or just a plain old wretched hangover after a legendary night out; the challenge for Jack Colleran and friends tonight is to create an engaging oasis-of-calm in the live arena, amidst the contradictory bustle of Hoxton.

Even the 120bpm four-to-the-floor beats of opening act, The Slow Revolt, sets a lively tone for the beginning of the evening from which things must come down. Joe Mirza builds progressing landscapes of sound making great use of his guitar with loop-station recorder. His intensely soulful voice – whilst too sickly for my tastes – is a fine partner to his modern and elegant house-music production work.

When time arrives for Mmoths to take the stage, it becomes apparent that they intend to engage the audience through deep immersion in their sound; synths loudly come to life, almost feeling like they’re breathing on us; saturated clicks and pulses reverberate, giving the tangible impression of a claustrophobic space. The variety of textured sounds is fresh and the presentation, enveloping.

As ambient as Mmoths are, they’re not without evoking peaks. Colleran finds his groove for the first time whilst concocting the chimes in new track ‘No One’ on some kind of electronic xylophone. His muted animation culminates when with an instrument – of sorts – in front of him. It’s Annie Mac’s favourite ‘Over You’ that steals the show however - a warm motorik hum that sounds as if recorded in a deep wet cave – and brings to close a set of understated expertise. And for an hour at least, Hoxton Bar & Grill is akin to the eye of a storm.