by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Never On Sunday started as an EP in 2021, headed by the single Contemplate which Octave One recorded with vocalist Karina Mia. Gradually it expanded, with new productions and a clutch of video productions which the brothers are now able to release as an album.

These are the brothers Lenny and Lawrence Burden, who formed Octave One in their Detroit base and have been releasing music for over three decades. Never On Sunday is their first long player in five years.

What’s the music like?

The rolling beats and Karina Mia’s introspective vocal are a good match on Contemplate, and Mia makes a strong contribution to similarly moody cuts The Bearer, where a powerful rhythm gets to the centre of the dancefloor, and Price We Pay, an expansive number.

Lifelike is an evocative instrumental, with metallic glints at the edges, while Tiers gets down to four-to-the-floor business, opening out into a widescreen panorama. Soon After carries a more mysterious profile, as does Mona, while A Moment Of Truth has a relatively coarse string sound, bringing tension to its otherwise foursquare rhythmic profile and building to a powerful finish.

There is a noticeable scene change for Metal Forest, where a serene, fluorescent loop passes between the imaginary trees. Soon a distorted rhythm sets a slow pace, and the area teems with life.

Does it all work?

Pretty much. There is a satisfying ebb and flow in the tempo variations, and also in the blend between instrumentals and vocals, and a an attractive set of bonus tracks which include instrumental versions of the vocal tracks, plus a bruising Skream remix of The Bearer.

Is it recommended?

It is – the Detroit legacy continues to stretch onwards, and Octave One are an outfit right at the forefront of its growth.

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