SECRET CIRCUITS

SECRET CIRCUITS This Town EP (Artificial Bliss)

This Leeds quartet reckon that they’re not a electro band. Well… they do play and record with an organic rhythm section with two keyboards on top. Rather like OMD, actually. Certainly on this EP, there’s little doubt that Secret Circuits derive their inspirations from 80s synth-pop and is in line with current trends, it has to be said. Also, judging from the album cover, they’re not averse to presenting themselves with a little new romantic glamour as well (shares of Visage, perhaps).

But what about the songs, you say? I quite like the four tracks on this EP actually. The melodies are catchy and the dance rhythms are well, easily danceable to. What more do you want? Opening title track has enough hooks to consign you to minutes of humming after the song ends. Job done, I’d say. Third track The Battle is rather intriguing as well, especially the gnarly bass line, although based on the vocal delivery, I’d never think that the band was English, reminding me of a European electro pop band, like Alphaville or Modern Talking – maybe that’s the idea? I hope not…

But on the final track, In Ending (Parts 1 and 2), a six minute magnum opus, is where Secret Circuits truly impress me. Starting out as a tense faux-classical piano ballad (reminiscent of Keane, Coldplay et al), the tempo builds up gradually till it climaxes into an orgy of epic rock anthem proportions! Only thing missing is the obligatory guitar solo wank. I’m glad to report that there’s more to Secret Circuits than meets the eye.

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