TUKAN are a very difficult band to box into a genre. Take IDM tropes from artists like Squarepusher and Clark, mix in some modern jazz ideas from Mammal Hands and Portico Quartet and a little post-rock edge and that’s kind of TUKAN’s jam. It’s a band that nearly ceased before it came into being after some initial issues getting tracks down in the studio in its original guise. However in 2019, with a fresh drummer joining the original trio, TUKAN was reborn as a dancefloor-orientated cerebral jazztronica fusion. On their forthcoming album ‘Atoll’, the idea is to bring real instruments back into the heart of the dancefloor again. Yes, there will be plenty of synths bouncing around, but the power and energy will be more organic and free-flowing. Belgians TUKAN say they get this from their live performances and they wanted to channel that live energy into their record.
‘Opal’ is the new single and features a slow and meditative start to a pulsing rhythm. This then transitions into something more indie-pop grooved with live drums, trance keys and jazz undertones. It comes with a funky music video of what looks like a collection of cars in a scrapyard having quirky spirit figures dancing around them. Abstract art for abstract art! It’s definitely grown on me on repeated listens and I’ll be keeping my ear out for when ‘Atoll’ comes out on the 18th of November.
Enjoy ‘Opal’ below, the single is out now. For more information on TUKAN, visit their Instagram. You can pre-order ‘Atoll’ on Bandcamp.
Support Higher Plain Music
Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.