CODE 64 STASIS ALBUM PROGRESS PRODUCTIONS RELEASE: APRIL 21, 2010 REVIEW: APRIL 22, 2010

This is the first taste of the new Code 64 line up, now with a new singer. Bjørn Marius Borg has stepped up instead of Henrik Piehl, and joined Christian Espeland and Hans-Olof Mattsson in their quest for electropop supremacy. Their last album "Departure" is a masterpiece that Release' Niklas Forsberg rewarded with our second highest score, back in 2006.

"Stasis" is the first single from the upcoming "Trialogue" and continues in the same vein. Bjørn's voice suits the music well, giving it an almost Echo Image-esque feeling. I can detect techno vibes and a slightly updated sound in the new material. Their sense of melody is still top notch fortunately, "Stasis" features a chorus that I've been humming for days. A special mention must also be made of the Elec This! remix, which is a superb reworking making it into a furious beast of blippy melodies and basslines. Code 64 themselves have also made a nice chillout version that ends the EP.

The other new track is "Game over" which doesn't reach the same heights as the title track, but is a noisy technopop piece that probably would work well on dance floors. All in all, it's a delightful taster of the upcoming album which I have high hopes for.

JOHAN CARLSSON