British electronic post-punk two-piece outfit AK/DK announce their new single Shared Particles, off their third album of the same name, due out 28 August 2020 via Little Miss Echo Recordings. Bringing to mind the motorik of 70s acts like Kraftwerk, Can, and early Simple Minds, the single Shared Particles propels itself forward, thrusting onwards in pursuit of a finish point that may never come. Describing themselves as “like a chunkier Devo,” AK/DK (Brighton’s double drum and synth duo Ed & G) revels in the journey as much as the destination. The track is a sonic tour-de-force of energy-packed-noise, chanting, and pure percussive joy.
AK/DK aren’t re-imagining the past, though. The frenetic title track with its squalling feedback and breakneck pace, sets off the tune towards orbit with a hefty dollop of mind-melting psychedelia and bursts of danceable energy.
“The challenge is squeezing all of that sweat-drenched energy of a packed club onto the record,” says the band. “We really wanted to combine the two elements of the band on this record, both live improvisations and more studio-based songwriting. What we really miss in the studio is the live audience, and we’ve tried to capture the spirit of our stage shows and the ebb of flow of the energy in the room, whilst still putting together songs and ideas.”
The band notes that the writing of the record was done amidst thoughts of how the internet and social media can unite and divide society, and how political forces have been able to manipulate these tools. As the name Shared Particles suggests, we are all as one living together, and this is music that could find a home everywhere from the rave scene to the punk community. AK/DK’s initial ethos was to transcend the invisible screen between stage and audience. “Our message is one of togetherness and unity, they say. “It’s quite a strong political message in itself when people come together for music.”
