"Austere, politicized techno battling for the greater good" according to Bandcamp, though you might get only a couple of these descriptors by just listening to the tracks. This is the debut full-length of upstate New Yorker Nicky Mao, who has been honing her brand of doomy electro since 2011. Much more modernist and empty-eyed than your favorite '80s EBM misfits but less extreme than the new wave of militant punk-synthers. Mixes are invariably imposing and mixed with crystal clarity. If you've got that itch, this will scratch it!

Choice cuts: 2, 6, 8

Genre: Industrial techno, electro, dark ambient
Friends: HTRK, Vatican Shadow, Blanck Mass, SHXCXCHCXSH, Female, Tujurikkuja, Tackle

1. (2:32) The requisite industrial introduction. Overdriven siren-y dirge, echoey metal scrape.
2. (3:57) Minimalistic synth arpeggios and patient swells supported by a powerful electro beat. Indecipherable choppy vocals. 4am fatigue vibes. Drew McDowall, formerly of Coil and Psychic TV, contributes on the keys.
3. (8:21) Constantly revving up with ritualistic kick patterns and spoken word mantras -- "do you still want this?" Non-humanoid motifs pop in and out as they see fit. No end in sight.
4. (3:14) Weirdo dialtone-esque synth loop and heart rate monitor bloops, quicker nervous beat. Could see this one on an avant-fashion runway or an edgy art gallery.
5. (6:21) Old-timey scientist speech sample, simple syncopated beat with an über-deep long-envelope kick. Breaking into secret government laboratory vibes.
6. (5:05) Deeper into techno territory, now with kicks on every beat, a killer one-note bassline and subtle progressions further back in the mix. Definitely will not make you want to drink the water.
7. (1:47) Lustmordian swirling murk. Ends with traces of a choir and string drones.
8. (6:24) Digital vinyl crackle and ambient wash, but later back to incessant sub-bass pulse and echoey interjectors. Some percussive jump-scares in the middle - don't spill your coffee!