Various Artists – Symbiotic II (Sensory Projects)

The new compilation from Melbourne’s Symbiotic collective is finally out. The last compilation eclipsed the collective’s solo output (Music vs Physics and even Pasobionic). Appropriately subtitled Everything Takes Forever, it is another foray into oddball instrumental hip hop. There is a great middle section of tracks – the best track is once again from Terminal Sound System who continue to make stomach churning grim bass workouts akin to Tipper being played at -8%. Dusk follows contributing The Trail Between, a lovely ambient piece that builds towards a melodic conclusion that is reminscent of Ride or MBV sans guitars (is that possible?). Then Digit Span Test drops a slow mournful Miles Davis-esque refrain over stumbling beats and factory floor burbles and bleeps. Overall it is considerably more coherent than the first and more focussed in sound.