BOWERY ELECTRIC — Beat 2x12"

Bowery Electric – Beat Bowery Electric’s second album, Beat, arrives on Kranky Records as catalog KRANK014LP, presented as a double-12-inch vinyl set. The release revisits the ambient-electro terrain the New York duo explored in the mid-90s, merging experimental textures with pop-inflected beats. After a two-decade absence from the format, this repress offers the first vinyl edition of the 1996 record, bringing its shadowy percussion and immersive drones to contemporary collectors and DJs. Within Kranky’s catalogue, Beat sits alongside a series of forthcoming 2×12-inch projects by artists such as Tim Hecker (Virgins LP, KRANK183LP) and Loscil (Sea Island LP, KRANK191LP), all slated for later release. Although the label’s recent output leans toward expansive ambient works, Beat’s blend of downtempo rhythm and austere ambience provides a distinctive contrast that highlights Kranky’s commitment to diverse, mood-driven electronic music. Side A opens with the title track “Beat”, a hypnotic pulse that establishes the record’s dense, mantra-like atmosphere. “Empty Words” follows, extending the mood with a subtle shift in texture that keeps the momentum fluid. The third cut, “Without Stopping side”, deepens the sense of immersion, its elongated structure acting as a bridge to the more rhythmic material on the next side. On Side B, “Under the Sun” introduces a brighter tonal shade while retaining the underlying drone, and “Fear of Flying” adds a slightly more propulsive beat that works well for late-night mixing. “Looped” provides a repetitive groove that can be layered, and “Black Light side” rounds out the side with a darker, more introspective tone. Side C begins with “Inside Out”, a track that flips the record’s internal dynamics, offering a spacious backdrop suitable for transition points. “Coming Down” follows with a gentle descent in energy, while “Postscript” introduces a delicate melodic fragment that hints at resolution. “Low Density” closes the side with a sparse, airy texture that leaves room for creative DJ manipulation. The final side presents the bonus track “Postscript bonus track not on original U.S. release”, an addition that expands the original album narrative and offers collectors a fresh element to explore. Beat represents a pivotal moment in Bowery Electric’s output, encapsulating the duo’s evolution from guitar-driven post-rock to a more electronically focused sound palette. Within Kranky’s broader roster, the record’s blend of downtempo beats, ambient drones and understated vocals underscores the label’s reputation for curating music that balances experimental depth with dancefloor relevance. For DJs, the record offers multiple entry points: the rhythmic drive of “Fear of Flying” and “Looped” can be layered into deeper sets, while the more atmospheric cuts like “Beat” and “Low Density” serve as effective mood-setting tools. Collectors will appreciate the historical significance of finally owning a vinyl version of a seminal 1996 release, as well as the added bonus track that expands the original sequence. The release is pressed as a 2×12-inch vinyl set, faithfully reproducing the original mix and preserving the album’s nuanced dynamics across both discs. Bowery Electric – Beat, Kranky Records, catalog KRANK014LP, 2×12-inch vinyl, 11 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Bowery Electric – Beat A2. Bowery Electric – Empty Words A3. Bowery Electric – Without Stopping side B1. Bowery Electric – Under the Sun B2. Bowery Electric – Fear of Flying B3. Bowery Electric – Looped B4. Bowery Electric – Black Light side C1. Bowery Electric – Inside Out C2. Bowery Electric – Coming Down C3. Bowery Electric – Postscript C4. Bowery Electric – Low Density* D1. Bowery Electric – Postscript *bonus track not on original U.S. release