Broadcast: Tender Buttons 

Label: Warp Records

Released: September 19, 2005

Genre: Electro-pop, dream/neo-psych 

Second installment of the Essentials Recommendation Bulletin features an astounding project from the Birmingham indie electronic group Broadcast. Tender Buttons was the band’s third studio project that subtly flew under the radar, however gained a dedicated cult following. Broadcast hails from the northern London city of Birmingham and consisted primarily of Trish Keenan and James Cargill with the occasional appearances from Roj Stevens and Steve Perkins. The group made a splash with their first record with an early 2000 release with The Noise Made by People getting early recognition from multiple critics.

This group achieved an intricate and signature sound, channeling shades of melancholy and hazy electro-pop, creating a swirl of interpretive sound. Many elements in this particular record were representative of old American psychedelia with sprinkles of emerging electronica. Broadcast practically serves as a continuation of what early Stereolab or Portishead achieved in the 90’s. Additionally, Warp Records has served as a compatible home for Broadcast, for this label consistently sought emerging indie electronica artists like Apex Twin, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Squarepusher.

Most of the tracks on Tender Buttons consist of stripped down, raw electronica with worn down, yet alleviating vocals from Keenan. Her presence on each track are far from confrontational, in fact she reassures the listener with her tranquilizing churn of elegance. It is humid at times, but the temperature is comforting throughout this amazing project. Also, Rest in Peace, Keenan.