Map 71 - Symbolic Neon

Map 71 the Brighton based duo of rhythm 'n' voice have been around a while now releasing some six albums based around a sound combining Andy Pyne's inventive drum rhythms and Lisa Jayne's vocals of surreal poetic verse and existential social observations. Despite a minimal palette of sound they've never remained static and with each album they've continually proved to be a versatile and innovative duo. Their last album, Blood Fruit, charted a progression into atmosphere and accessibility with a sound possessed of a danceable quality making full use of studio trickery.

Now celebrating 11 years of continued existence they present new versions of two choice cuts from Blood Fruit remixed by drummer and producer Andy Pyne to create what they've called "ear candy with a punch distilled to the dimensions of a pop single".

They're right, 'Aerial Eyes (Neon mix)' offers something sparser and crisper than the original album version with an interplay of rhythmic toms, hi-hat clips and drum patterns over darting electronic beats as Lisa Jayne lets loose with a series of vocal whoops amidst the succinct evocative spoken words. Here though it's the added spatial washes, little drum fills and minimal melodic chime that lends itself to that charming pop edge.

'Corn Dolly (Symbolic mix)', meanwhile, ups gears shifting to shakers and pulsing electro beats accompanying the reverberating dubby rhythms along with sparse cyclical and clipped drumming, at times tapping like an old school typewriter, and wailing cornet samples surrounding the airy wordless harmonies and slight spoken words of magical intent grounding this one to great effect.

Map 71 already have a number of compelling albums behind them featuring Lisa Jayne's vocal delivery of poetic, pagan and incisive words backed by Pyne's compulsive rhythms and post-punk electronics available but if you've missed them before then Symbolic Neon is a great entry point to Map 71 and it's available digitally for a price much cheaper than that coffee you're going to buy today. While you're at it you can pick up one of the 25 limited gorgeous screen printed tote bags and inclusive postcards featuring Lisa Jayne's amazing scalpel cut artwork that have been produced to accompany the release. Symbolic Neon is available from Map 71 bandcamp