MAN-MACHINE – Catford Indie Synth Guru Rodney Cromwell Channels Kraftwerk On New Five-Track EP

rodney-cromwell-2-photo-credit-zamberwellHappy Robots boss and one time Peel’s Festive 50 fave Rodney Cromwell releases a new 5-track EP  on November 11.

The Fax Message Breakup EP follows Cromwell’s well-received debut album Age of Anxiety and features exclusive remixes of album cuts Happy Robot and Cassiopeia.

Inspired by Phil Collins’ split from his second wife, the title track thankfully bears no resemblance whatsoever to the music of the former Genesis skin-beater.

Instead what you get is a warm old-style synth groove, which sounds a bit like Kraftwerk, by way of ’80s rave, with a bit of Republic-era New Order thrown in.

Featuring Cromwell’s old Arthur & Martha collaborator Alice Hubley on keys and Controllers’ Richard Salt on guitar.

Cromwell, alias Adam Cresswell of indie-folktronica outfit Saloon, contributes lead synth and deadpan vocals shot through with dry wit.

The EP features re-mixes of the title track by former Stereolab electronics-whizz Morgane Lhote and regular accomplice AUW.

Other tracks include Chris Frain‘s mix of Happy Robot and London’s The Leaf Library offer their take on Cassiopeia.

  • The Fax Message Breakup EP will be available for digital download on November 11. The album ‘Age of Anxiety’ is out now. Both are released by Happy Robots Records and distributed by Cargo Records.
  • Rodney Cromwell features as part of a Happy Robots’ presentation triple bill at Haunt, Stoke Newington on Friday, November 4. Tickets here.

 

About the author

Full time journalist, music lover (obvs) and truly terrible guitarist. You can find Matt on twitter @matcatch

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