Aucan – DNA EP 12" record - one of the corners of the cover has very light wear from shipping to Stickfigure

Aucan – DNA EP 12" record - one of the corners of the cover has very light wear from shipping to Stickfigure

Aucan's first LP was a playful introduction into the electronic/math rock scene. Sure, it had some hard hitting riffs and ambient, moody soundscapes throughout, but also melodic, catchy synthesizer melodies aplenty. However, new EP DNA is decidedly darker. There s an energy brooding below the surface of the music that shows glimpses of its teeth, but never revealing its full snarl thus creating a moody, clandestine atmosphere. You could be forgiven for wanting to adopt a James Bond villain persona whilst listening to this. Whilst the emphasis on the electronics and synthesizer has been increased, guitar still plays a key part in the music, as evidenced by opening track Rooko . After just a few bars of what sounds like some sort of intergalactic communique, Aucan cut through the air with a menacing guitar riff, with an almost metal tone to it. The layered electronics really fill up the background here, mixing well with the pounding beats delivered by Dario Dasseno, to generate a wonderfully textured counter-rhythm, fusing together the static shrieks of modern music with the raw energy of the indefatigable acoustic drum kit. The bongo like drums of Urano (from their previous LP) are revisited in Urano 2 , which also continues the guitar theme, but unlike their older work, Aucan are happy to restrain their output. The screaming guitar riffs that ripped the airwaves apart on the first incarnation of Urano are no longer present. Instead, there s a hint of minimalism to be found in the repetitive, chugging guitar, keeping pace with the intricate drumming, and building up towards the climax that, which once would have been chords and distortion, is replaced by solid beats, shifting and syncopating their way through crystal shards of synthesizer. In somewhat of a surprise for Aucan, vocals make their appearance on the title track, DNA . Long, drawn out and layered, it sounds almost like a tribal procession for robots. It could well be a funeral, with the almost indecipherable voices calling and crying out, carrying an emotion that is almost unexpected of a primarily instrumental rock band. It is more likely that closing track The Darkest Light , clocking in at 15 minutes of ambient, minimalist noise, is no surprise. Whilst fitting in with the ambient feel of the record, it s certainly nowhere near as exciting as any of the other tracks.