Gescom - "Iss:Sa"

Released the same day as Autechre's Draft 7.30, the Iss:Sa EP from Gescom sounds not like outtakes from Autechre's album, but outtakes from the same sessions. And that's fine, because Sean Booth and Rob Brown, the Autechre boys, are also major players in Gescom. The album starts off promisingly with the title track, firmly in the IDM vein, featuring a squelching hollow-sounding bass, minor-key synth pads, and no cohesive melody. "Tangle III" has nice (albeit confusing) syncopation between the bass and the signature Booth/Brown hip-hop beats. "Tr2a" brings full-on glitch, with beats sounding like Akufen, off kilter but not off base. "Slow Acid" features a straightforward beat and bassline warping in on itself as electro keyboards make it funky. "Megamix," the nearly 15-minute closer, has a nice atmosphere, but it changes into a plodding stomper with minimal melody, and is not the best way to round out what feels like an overlong EP. Not the best place for beginners, this release is for completists only.