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Album Review: Basenji - Trackpad

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"Our host revels in the searing heat of big drums and shrill melodic stabs."

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"Universal" is often an insult; removing rough edges to upset as few people as possible tends to have the knock-on effect of exciting as few people as possible.

That's not true for Basenji. Trackpad is genuinely universal, but our host revels in the searing heat of big drums and shrill melodic stabs. Heirloom deserves its status as the EP's lead track. The innocence of its plink-plonk melody makes for a sharp juxtaposition with its brutal backdrop. Petals is a similar blend of little and large, introspection and confidence. Only Can't Get Enough, with its slightly oversweet vocals, jars. Trackpad is a study in contrasts.