Fuck Buttons – Slow Focus

After the giant leap in ambition, scope and production that was 2009’s Tarot Sport, it’s entirely judicious of Fuck Buttons to make follow-up Slow Focus a more confident and measured next step. Though it’s cut from a similar cloth to its predecessor, the electro-noise duo’s third album is somewhat rougher in texture and darker in tone.

It’s a deliberate tact of course, and a showcase of just how refined their sprawling palette has become. The hard, percussive element that often pervades is reminiscent of debut album Street Horrrsing, with the duo’s latter production and towering synths carefully woven in, gradually unfurling in the mind after repeated listens.

Yet Slow Focus is still a wide-eyed wonder of an album, particularly as it warms up; penultimate track Stalker emerges from a John Carpenter-esque sci-fi horror motif into a sky high paean, whilst epic finale Hidden XS is a kinetic belter of child-like melody and pumping percussion. Even though such moments are more understated than on Tarot Sport, when they come, Fuck Buttons still sound untouchable. Quite where the cosmic duo go from here seems an earthly concern.