Roman Nose

In what has already been a little bit of a landmark year for Scottish electronic music, Roman Nose have released not one, but two EPs that aim to throw their name into the same sort of metaphorical hat as CHVRCHES et al. ‘Long Live Our Friend The Revolver!’ follows on from the release of ‘Youthclubbed’ back in February, and provides the band with the challenge of translating their formidable live sound onto record.

Across the three tracks on the EP, the trio expand their palette of electronic sounds, swapping the dark, drum based sound from ‘Youthclubbed’ for something slightly lighter – the undercurrent of menace hasn’t disappeared completely though, as each track teeters constantly on the brink of becoming the 4am, end-of-the-night breakdown that Roman Nose always threatened.

Of the three tracks included on ‘Long Live Our Friend The Revolver!’, the second track ‘The Bombers’ is a true highlight. A four-minute blur of computer noise and samples twisted inside out and stretched to their absolute limit, backed by a pounding, driving beat that wouldn’t sound out of place in any self-respecting nightclub.

As shown by the sheer diversity of electronic bands in the country, Scots music lovers have something of a voracious appetite for dance music these days, and the diversity on show is astonishing. With such a varied field, it might seem a challenge to break through – Roman Nose take that challenge and turn their (masked) noses up at it.