Mogwai – A Wrenched Virile Lore

A Wrenched Virile Lore is not strictly a remix album to Mogwai’s seventh studio record Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. In fact, Justin Broadrick’s opening take on George Square Thatcher Death Party is billed as a ‘reshape’, whilst long-time friend R.M. Hubbert delivers an incongruous yet beautiful acoustic reworking of Mexican Grand Prix, mixing the original vocals and effects with his own sombre folk style.

More conventional remixes are no less effective; synth duo Zombi concoct a bounding, eerie electro totem from the seemingly placid tones of Letters to the Metro whilst Hardcore’s highlight Rano Pano gets a double-whammy in the form of Klad Hest’s exuberant drum ‘n’ bass workout and Tim Hecker’s pulsing cyclical noise fest. In fact, AWVL rarely puts a foot wrong, feeling flush with invention and risk-taking, leading to moments which on occasion eclipse its parent album. No small praise. [Darren Carle]