Bicep - Aura

Belfast boys, Bicep have finally broken their silence, and in a big way at that. For months more than a year now, fans have been living off live versions of a particular unreleased Bicep record, anxiously wringing their hands in hopes of getting a full version of the mysterious magic. One of the first videos appeared nearly a year ago to the day, when they closed their Parklife set with the track in question (watch here). But no longer are us die-hard fans relegated to relive brilliant Bicep sets through video recordings, as the track now has a name and is officially released today. Get "Aura" here.If you weren't familiar with the unreleased demo version of "Aura" that Bicep have been playing out, it shouldn't take long for you to enjoy the stream above and bask in its dreamlike demeanor. In typical fashion, Andy and Matt have laid down a brilliant bed, on which their unparalleled playful progression can bounce along as freely as a child frolics in the summer sun. Their build is always big and bold, but never bulky or immobile. They always carefully tread the line between a knock you off your feet, wall of sound and feather-like tickling of your senses. And that's the true genius of Bicep, perhaps best on display here with "Aura," although I'll always hold a special spot in my heart for their remix of Brassica "Tears I Can Afford."

As if getting our hands on "Aura" weren't enough, there's also a 12" mix available today, and with this release comes the announcement of their debut full length album. The eponymous 12 track LP is set to drop September 1st via Ninja Tune, with "Aura" in place as the concluding capstone (pre-order here). Along with the album announcement, Bicep are headed on tour. See if they're in your city here.

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Brassica - Tears I Can Afford (Bicep Remix)

Over the course of the last year I've found myself gobbling up just about everything Belfast duo, Bicep have put out. It all started when I came across a series of posts about their Boiler Room set at their hometown AVA Festival. While it features many of their tracks that I've come to love it was their original production, "Just," that really got me hooked - that and the guy in the red track suit who emerges as the star of this show (see him popping a pill ~23 min, smoking a joint ~41:30, and "feel my bicep" ~53 min).

Of course, part of the hype of this show was the number of unreleased and exclusive tracks the Feel My Bicep label founders played out, including their collab with Hammer "Dahlia" and their remix of 808 State's "In Yer Face." Both took an awful long time to get official releases, but when a track is so good that it can survive and maintain hype for that long, it's probably a good strategy to hold it back and make people come to your shows to hear it.

Another such track immediately grabbed me but I had to wait for, was their mix of Brassica's "Tears I Can Afford." The slow burning build and alien elements of it quickly overwhelm your senses and have you reeling in anticipation of what's to come. When shortly after the two minute mark those keys creep in, the track really begins to hit its stride. It becomes an audio epic and Bicep add and subtract elements. Dynamics, acid and propulsive percussion lift the Brassica original to new heights, soaring so close to the sun that it blurs your vision. This mix is so unabashedly beautiful that it is sure to have you welling up in its presence. No need to wait, it can be yours now, via Bandcamp, here. FOLLOW BICEP: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER