Polytechnic Youth / UK / 2017 / 7"
Next up on Polytechnic Youth is a fabulous 45. Arguably the label’s highest profile release thus far; the mighty Pye Corner Audio joining forces with PY label mate Faten Kanaan for an ace split 45.
In PCA's Martin Jenkins' own words: “Faten Kanaan first came to my attention with her wonderful cassette release 'EP'. We started corresponding shortly after that and I always had it in mind that we should collaborate on something. So when PY asked if I would contribute to the label, and then released Faten's 'The Botanist & The Archaeologist' LP things seemed perfectly aligned”.
A side “The Darkest Wave” features pulsing icy synth drones over which Faten’s cool NY narrative owes nods to some 70’s Carpenter-eque VHS chillwave soundtrack, (not unlike some of Umberto’s work of the last decade or so.) A beautifully evolving, slow burner piece which over continuous plays reveals one of the year’s great A sides so far.
The B side is a stripped down piece more in keeping with the seminal minimal synth singles of the late 70s beloved by both artist and label here. Indeed, Martin Jenkins’ sleeve art also doffs it’s cap to the artwork feel of some of those legendary post punk 45s.