Model Man – Beta EP Review

The Brandon brothers return in inspired form for the release of their new EP, Beta. The Essex raised duo emerged from a musical household, their mother a pianist and their father’s taste in Disco and Chicago House contributing to their musicality. Their development from noisy neighbours to musical duo seemed rather inevitable and their early musical exposure evident in their latest release.

After the acclaim of their debut EP, City Songs, Model Man return and expand upon their piano-driven down-tempo, dance floor suitability. The first release and album title track, Beta is a ready-made ambient floor filler. Emotive and catchy, with boppy textures and moments of arpeggiated piano pulling on all the heartstrings, Beta is focussed and effective. These sunny-side-up disco, Chicago house infused elements come to the fore and expand further with the track, Clarity.

The EP exhibits further lush emotive ambience with Got To Tell You following in a similar vein to Beta but the Brandon bros move in many sonic directions. One of these changes of gear comes in the track titled, The Hill. Jittering percussion, swelling textures and heartrending vocal combine to create beautiful introspection and emotionally charged balladesque electronica. The darker tones of The Hill and closing track Solar, give Beta real depth and allow for a sense of expedition, a feat repeated in the pressing rhythms but none the less emotive, Granular.

Model Man has achieved an EP of substance and pop sensibility. Beta balances euphoria and sorrow in the right measures and is a sure-fire festival-friendly soundtrack for the summer ahead. Fans should be more than satisfied and if this latest release if Beta is anything to go by 2020 looks set to be a strong year for the duo. In a crowded genre, Model Man have created a sound that speaks for itself and hits the sweet spot between dance-floor stomper and sad boy/girl introspection.

Model Man will be performing at London’s 9294 on Feb 5th and Beta is released on the 24th of Jan.