Albums
February: 18 albums you need to hear this month
That's the month sorted, then
Tycho 'Epoch' (Ghostly International)
Once a one-man outfit, Scott Hansen’s Tycho project is a fully-fledged band these days. Their fifth album, ‘Epoch’, is informed by the ‘jam’ philosophy that’s an inherent part of any group’s DNA, as Rory O’Connor’s quickfire breakbeats and Zac Brown’s choppy, hazy guitars mesh with Hansen’s swirling electronics. The ambient sensibilities of Hansen’s earliest work remain, especially on the title track. Tycho are most effective when taking the tempo down and stripping things back: hints of ‘Premier Syptômes’-era Air infect ‘Receiver’ with its blanket of cosy chords. In the opposite camp, meanwhile, ‘Division’ adds a squall of blurry guitar for a shoegazey vibe. ‘Epoch’ is perhaps a little overly fluffy at times, but plenty of sunshine pokes through the clouds. Stephen Worthy
7/10
