Return of the pioneers: Kev Hopper – Aroo R.A. #IDM #Experimental

There’s something rather pleasing about names from the past making a return. In this case Kev Hopper, Stump’s former bassist.

For those who are too frazzled or young to remember, Stump were an Irish-English indie/experimental/rock group formed in London in 1983. They put out a range of releases in the mid to late 80s that were more critically acclaimed and cult inducing than chart bothering. What I hadn’t known was that Kev Hopper then went on to get involved in experimental electronic music. including 1990s Stolen Jewels.

He says, “As it’s the 32nd anniversary of my first solo album ‘Stolen Jewels’ I thought it might be fun to revisit and update aspects of that album with this new 2022 release – namely the naïve ‘pots and pans style’ (as I call it) sampling of the era which I’m still incredibly fond of.”

The album is Sans Noodles. Let’s have a listen to Aroo R.A. This delights in a primitive, minimal electronic feel. There’s warped vocal elements put through the electronic blender. Here and there bits of metal bashed bashed as it goes about delivering on the pots and pans percussion that he promises. It’s a track that’s wilfully experimental but also enjoying itself immensely. That sense of fun oozes through every blip, sonic squirt and squawk. Long live the pioneers.

~ by acidted on January 17, 2022.