Android

Released in 1995, Android is a pivotal early EP from the British duo Plaid (Ed Handley and Andy Turner). Coming shortly after their departure from The Black Dog, this release helped solidify their signature sound: a blend of intricate, interlocking melodies and syncopated, often Latin-influenced rhythms. The EP is notable for its 'aquatic' themes, a recurring motif in early IDM, and showcases the duo's ability to coax human emotion out of digital hardware. While short, it features the epic 'Angry Dolphin,' a track that demonstrates their mastery of long-form tension and release within a purely electronic framework. Critics often point to this era as the birth of the 'Plaid sound' - whimsical, complex, and technically brilliant. It remains a sought-after piece of their discography, representing the transition from the darker tones of their early collaborative work toward the more melodic and bright textures of their later Warp Records output.