As is so common these days, Magic Arm is actually solo artist Marc Regisford trading under a band name. The use of the collective moniker gives the impression of multiple talents as does the range of sounds employed on the Bootsy Bootsy EP.
The title track is a decent number that features a buzzing bass, stuttering beats and a lovely bleeping hook, while Regisford’s falsetto chimes “whatever gets you through the night”. But it is the rest of the songs that mark Magic Arm out as one to watch.
There’s a great cover of LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk Is Playing In My House featuring a slow slap beat, measured cowbell, woozy organ and sinister whistling that twists the sheer exhilaration of the original into a sinister carnival nightmare. The instrumental My My, with its oompah horn and mournful accordion, is like sitting in a bleak Parisian apartment doing nothing but smoking cigarettes and watching the rain come down outside
The highlight is the whispering mystery of Said Things. It seduces you with gypsy melodies and moody electronics as layers of Latin guitars and chanting vocals are suddenly overcome by a stampeding beat that then fades out to a lovely picked banjo.
While there isn't one completely perfect track on the EP, there is enough imagination, atmosphere and skill on each song to know that there is a lot more to come from this one-man band.
Listen to the Bootsy Bootsy EP.
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