Dark, swaggering, slightly gothic and not sure whether it’s a rockabilly or a raver. Say what you want about Glasgow but the musical diversity of the city has little comparison within easy reach and there you have one huge reason why Optimo is seen to rule the roost even after a decades worth of work. ‘Bad Angel’ by Big Ned may not seem to be the obvious single to launch a new label from a renowned dance act but it entirely fits the bill in this instance.
Anyone familiar with how Andy Weatherall and The Two Lone Swordsmen have been moving to a darker atmosphere in their sound at certain points will have nothing to fear on this occasion. It may snarl and it won’t have you dancing all night long but it’s an intelligent slice of retro-stomp that will have you convinced there’s a dry ice machine in the room.