Fuck Buttons - ‘Surf Solar’ (single)

Spontaneity has often been a part of the persona of Andrew Hung and Benjamin Power, AKA Fuck Buttons. On Friday July 24th out of nowhere and much to my delight, I received an email from All Tomorrows Parties announcing not only the duo’s new album but a tour as well this Autumn. Despite only a handful of shows over the past 12 months or so showcasing this material, many Fuck Buttons fans have been eagerly anticipating what their second album would be like. Their debut acclaimed LP ’Street Horrrising’ would probably be one of my favourite debut releases of the decade so far with its meaty noise drone dance fusion. Call it what you like their spontaneous mix was depicted in their live performances building up to, as well as around the time of their early 2008 release where they occasionally sampled some of the forthcoming material in these sets. Based on this debut single from their forthcoming record ’Tarot Sport’ (to be released, 12th October 2009 on ATP Recordings), the opening track titled ‘Surf Solar’ (to be released 14th September) looks set to follow up last years release in a different but equally as crazy manner of the first. Clocking in at 10 minutes and 51 seconds and while still maintaining the fuzzy feedback and the chord changing drones familiarised on ‘Street Horrrising’ we hear more of the influence from the track ’Bright Tomorrow’ with its 4/4 electronic beats. Add to that some Techno-like Synths we begin to hear a different fusion of sounds that may be more familiar with some of the work you can find on Warp Records. So what is this; Indie? Drone? Dance music? Whatever you perceive it to be, it’s a heavy cocktail that will make you want to dance, freak out, or just quite simply nod your head and appreciate the noise. Fuck Buttons already have a core selection of fans that you will find floating around a few Indie gigs and festivals around the UK. But could this see the Bristol duo taken to a whole new audience? ‘Surf Solar’ is just a taster of what we can expect from them in the up and coming months and to what extent their status can potentially lead up to.

Freddy Rothman