Pigmented Reality by Kate Pending

Armed with a deep love of Drum and Bass, it's surprising that only one of the tracks on Kate Pending's debut album Pigmented Reality packs that distinctive rhythmic punch. The track in question however, Onyx Skies, also bears the magic Pending touch (where she douses her work in accessibility, transforming perfectly competent instrumental dance tracks into precise, polished Pop songs by using her voice) so it's only fair to consider it a Pop song. And judged alongside the other eleven tracks, the Northern Irish artist clearly loves a catchy tune! Notably though, while the majority of tracks have very memorable melodies this isn't the same type of Pop as Tatyana. While Tatyana presented a bunch of Pop tunes loosely tied to a lightweight theme, Pending has crafted a well-sequenced album around a beefier concept, one built on a futuristic narrative.

From the neon Blade Runner glow of the album artwork to the cinematic anecdotes to the loaded song titles, the sense of a foreboding journey ahead, one where corruption and tyranny rule, is compelling. Even filtered through a Pop lens, everything is shrouded in a delicious darkness. Most tunes are borne from Breakbeat, with tracks like Dark Fields and title track Pigmented Reality delivered with an appropriate tension. The perfect balance of well-produced music and singalong toplines.