Polinski

Over the better part of a decade, Sheffield, UK quartet 65daysofstatic have slowly transformed from elementary instrumental math rockers to eclectic electronic knob twiddlers. On his debut solo LP, Labyrinths, 65kid Paul Wolinski (under the nom de plume Polinski) is running with his band's electro-torch. Working off of the same popping and crackling 16-bit rhythms that define his day job, Polinski delivers seven stripped down, concept-free interpretations. Songs like the skeletal synth meets beefy house grooves of "Tangents" and the bent-circuit beats of "Kressyda" show the young Brit approaching most of his synthetic melodies like they were muscular riffs in a rock song. Aside from a few mild surprises, including the robotic voice that bubbles beneath the surface in "Stitches" and the grinding movements of album closer "Awaltzoflight," Labyrinths wholly lacks layers, movements, dynamics and character, leaving the album's penchant for the homogenous its only marvel.