12 Rounds

12 Rounds sounds like the intersection of a rain-streaked noir film and a subterranean industrial club. It is music that feels heavy and humid, characterized by Claudia Sarne's deep, absorbing vocals which float over dense thickets of electronic percussion and thick, melodic basslines. There is a palpable sense of tension in the arrangements, as if the songs are constantly coiling and uncoiling in the dark.

What truly distinguishes them is the sophisticated production partnership between Sarne and Atticus Ross. While they share DNA with the Bristol trip-hop scene, they inject a more aggressive, rock-oriented grit that betrays their connection to the Nothing Records stable. The rhythms are more muscular than typical downtempo, and the textures are often layered with a subtle, distorted sheen that makes the music feel both intimate and slightly dangerous.

Start with the album 'My Big Hero'. It represents the peak of their collaboration with the Nothing Records aesthetic, offering a perfect entry point into their world of dark pop hooks and complex, rhythmic soundscapes. It is an essential listen for anyone who finds the middle ground between Portishead and Nine Inch Nails to be their personal sweet spot.