Icons

On the one hand, you could hear the big beats and blacklight-ready synths of *Icons* as an exercise in ’90s nostalgia—the soundtrack to historically accurate raves made by modern hermits who watched them on YouTube. On the other, it’s a canny next step in the evolution of UK club and bass music, whose bright, propulsive sound served as a rejoinder to the grim majesty of dubstep. Like hyperpop, it’s both stylish and playful: Just follow the mournful robot guides of “Dust” and “Mainframe,” or the rhythm track of “Ghosts,” which simulates the squirming, slightly out-of-control feeling of a strong tickle. They’re weird. But they come in peace.

The cheeky London duo put their own spin on UK bass music, and their latest EP of compu-heaters is one of the most substantial releases of their young but already impressive career.

icons by Two Shells album review by Adam Williams. The UK duo's new EP is now available via Young and streaming services