Atom Tree – Tide of Thorns EP

The debut EP from Atom Tree, aka producer Shaun Canning, percussionist Michael Robertson, and sometime vocalist and songwriter Fergus Cook, of the band Discopolis, is a thing of delicate clockwork beats and synths – ragile melodies that occupy the intersection between the more blissed-out sonic excursions of Four Tet, the low-slung tempos of early Mount Kimbie, and the neo-soul of James Blake.

Cook's multi-tracked vocals on Desired Effect are some of the best work he has produced, but it is the instrumental tracks – with complex, technically challenging structures and time changes, and a vivid clarity in their production – that really shine with a pastoral, dreamy beauty. A promising debut from a band who will appeal to indie kids and electronic music fans alike – strongly recommended.