Ben Lowes-Smith discovers a wide sonic landscape on the Brooklyn duo’s third album
Brassland
Released: 18.01.19
Scholars is the third album from Brooklyn experimental duo Buke and Gase. Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez are known for building their own instruments (the buke is a baritone ukulele and the gase is a guitar/bass hybrid) and this could be the recipe for extreme levels of self-indulgence, but Buke and Gase straddle the line between pop sensibilities and chaotic experimentalism.
The duo have created a concise and direct effort; the title track seethes with aggression in its jarring, staccato propulsiveness; Flock unfurls its layers of melody, taking plenty of unexpected twists and turns; while Wrong Side is a strident electro-pop banger in the vein of Goldfrapp, filtered through the duo’s natural awkwardness. A fine record with a wide sonic landscape to explore.