Paradolia

Alex Smoke’s debut album, Communicado, impressed with a wide techno focus and, although this follow up is narrower in its vision, the results are more rewarding. Combining cut-up hip-hop sensibilities with stripped back, intricate grooves, the Scotsman avoids the sterile sound many minimalists make, adding rough, sinewy basslines and Warp-style melodies to his non-linear arrangements. Alex Smoke has got the funk and a whole lot more besides.