LES BAXTERS - s/t LP

Highly recommended.

Drawing on a love of sci-fi movie soundtracks, Deutsche Elektronika, goth-doom, and ambient techno, they mash their influences together and wear them respectfully on their sleeve. Vintage synths, Theremin, Casio beats, and found recordings pool to generate songs that are complex and dynamic, but also toe-tappingly fun.

The band are live favourites, perched behind a desk like a bunch of switchboard operators, in front of filmic visuals and famous contemporary ‘Op Art’ works.

Named by Radio New Zealand as one of the best acts of 2016, Les Baxters built a cult following before quietly disbanding in 2019. This LP acts as an artefact from one of the most distinctive and surprising bands to have emerged out of Aotearoa.