Hailing from Belfast and now based in London, Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson are the two masterminds behind electronic music project Bicep. After their pretty solid self-titled debut record, they have now announced its follow-up, Isles. “We have strong mixed emotions, connected to growing up on an island,” they stated about the title of the album. “Wanting to leave, wanting to return.”

After the opening track “Atlas,” they have now unveiled the melancholy yet uplifting lead single “Apricots” which features vocal samples of traditional Malawian singers as well as a 1950s performance by the Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir. The track also comes with a Mark Jenkin-directed video. Watch and pre-order the album via Bandcamp below.

Once again, the rave duo, comprising Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar, plays in a league of their own. Recorded in their new studio space, “Atlas” is rich in contrasts: it’s an elusive banger, an ecstatic moment of melancholy.

Following up on her 2017’s album “Glasshouse”, London’s singer-songwriter Jessie Ware has just dropped a brand new track, “Overtime”, which was produced by James Ford and Belfast’s electronic duo Bicep. With its nocturnal UK Bass groove, “Overtime” is somehow reminescent of Disclosure‘s excellent remix of “Running”. On Twitter, the artist also added that this release was a little taste of what’s to come so there should be more music coming our way very soon. Meanwhile, tune in below.

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Belfast’s electronic duo Bicep are back with an EP focusing on their track “Rain”, which is taken from their 2017’s eponymous album. Along the original and a shorter edit of the song, the EP features a new track named “Helix”. “Rain” also comes up with a trippy and Sci-fi video which was directed by Luke Wyatt. Watch it below.

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Using various ambient sounds to decorate their debut “They Came Along”, the duo creates an electronic banger where you can either dance or reflect on your day under the sheets. Bird, dogs and breathy noises will pace the track alongside minimal beats and dark honest vocals. “I’m losing my head” sings JT Norton, and you can’t help it but lose it and dance. We had a chance to discuss with him about how they met, their inspirations, debut and what we can expect from them in the future.

Highclouds: Can you introduce yourself for our readers who don’t know you yet?

Hey, we are Haulm. We live in Brooklyn. This is a collaboration between myself, JT Norton, a vocalist/composer, and electronic producer, Reed Kackley AKA BAILE.

How did you guys meet and decide to start doing music together?

We became friends in 2012, playing random shows together with various bands, but didn’t start working together until 2017. Reed originally just wanted me to sing on some of his BAILE tracks, but those songs quickly developed a sound of their own, and Haulm was born.

How were you guys introduce to music? Did you play any instruments

We were both raised in very music friendly households in the 90’s (The Talking Heads, The Beatles, etc.). Reed played piano as a child and I played the violin.

What can you tell us about your debut “They Came Along”?

We think its a pretty weird song. We had a lot of fun stripping it down a demo of Reed‘s and turning it from a very straight forward dance track into what it is now.

Why did you decide to release it as the first taste of your music?

We chose this track because it points to different things we want to accomplish with our sound. We like moving in-between a four-on-the-floor dance vibe to etherial modular synth recordings.

How does your creative process work?

We usually start out with a demo that either of us has made, and strip it down to the essential parts. Then we both start coming up with vocal melodies and lyrics as well as additional instrumental parts. So in the end, it’s less of a re-worked demo, but an entirely new song.

“We are writing music that fuses a sense of sincerity together with a desire to create compelling dance grooves.” – Haulm

How would you describe your music?

Our style meshes minimal electronic compositions, influenced by downtempo & techno, with honest and intimate vocals. Blending modular sounds with analog synthesizers & foley sfx, We are writing music that fuses a sense of sincerity together with a desire to create compelling dance grooves.

If you had to compare your music to a meal, which one would it be?

Relatively fresh Thai leftovers warmed on a non microwave safe plate.

What is your more productive time of the day?

The time of day is so relative to the type of song we come up with, so the answer is, all day.

What can be expect from you guys in the future?

Releasing a hand full of singles over the next few months while we continue to write more.

Do you have any songs that you’ll like to recommend to our readers?

The new Daphni, Four Tet, and Bicep albums are magic.

You can follow Haulm over Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud and Instagram.

As soon as ‘Glue’ starts, Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson, the two artists behind the moniker BICEP, bring the clubbers on a journey through a time when London’s underground clubs were playing the best dance music in the world. With an uplifting breakbeat-loop and a twisted loop of synthesizers, they offer the modern ravers an anthem motivating enough to welcome the sun when he will be back from its sleep. The track doesn’t develop any complex patterns here because it is obviously not the goal. BICEP‘s new single ‘Glue’ speaks to dancing souls who give everything on the dancefloor. The ones that think with their heart, trip with their ears, and sweat their problems away.

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The London-based duo will release their self-titled debut album on September 1 via Ninja Tune (pre-order it there). It will feature the previously released single ‘Aura’. Keep it up with BICEP via Facebook and Twitter.