By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Belfast, the influential Northern Irish electronic duo Bicep, comprised of Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson, has officially pulled back the curtain on their most ambitious project to date. After a five-year hiatus from the long-form format, the pair announced the impending release of their third studio album, titled Slug. Scheduled to arrive on January 29 via the esteemed independent label Ninja Tune, the record represents a significant pivot in the duo’s creative trajectory, moving away from the club-ready anthems that defined their earlier work and toward a more eclectic, experimental landscape.
The announcement comes on the heels of a carefully orchestrated rollout. While the duo had previously teased the collection with a trio of singles—"Air," "Lemonder," and "Viper"—the official reveal of Slug was accompanied by the release of three additional tracks: "Gas," featuring Lauren Duffus and Soarr; "Ultra," featuring Eartheater and Saskia; and "Equarium," featuring Kehina. This second triptych of songs provides a clearer window into the album’s stylistic breadth, showcasing a willingness to blend avant-garde vocal contributions with the intricate, breakbeat-laden production for which Bicep is renowned.
The title of the album, Slug, might initially strike listeners as an odd choice for a group known for their polished, often ethereal soundscapes. However, the duo has clarified that the name is rooted in a fascination with the natural world’s hidden complexities. According to press materials, the concept was born from the dramatic divergence between the common terrestrial slug and its marine counterparts. While the former is often viewed with disdain or indifference, the latter—nudibranchs and other sea slugs—exhibit some of the most vibrant colors and complex geometries found in the ocean. This duality serves as a metaphor for the album itself: a work that may appear singular on the surface but contains a multitude of intricate, unexpected forms within.
McBriar and Ferguson have been vocal about their desire to break free from the expectations that have followed them since the massive success of their 2021 sophomore effort, Isles. In an official statement, the duo explained that their primary objective with Slug was to "massively broaden" their artistic scope. They expressed a collective intent to craft an album that is more varied than its predecessors, intentionally pushing the boundaries of what the "Bicep sound" is perceived to be. This evolution involves a deeper dive into slower tempos, more complex harmonic structures, and a heavy reliance on a diverse roster of guest vocalists and instrumentalists.
The collaborative nature of Slug is perhaps its most defining characteristic. While Isles featured a handful of notable contributions, the new 18-track odyssey sees Bicep acting as curators as much as producers. The involvement of Eartheater, the experimental polymath known for her genre-bending vocal performances, suggests a move toward more ethereal and challenging textures. Similarly, the inclusion of Clark, a veteran of the Warp Records roster known for his granular and often abrasive approach to IDM, indicates that Slug will not shy away from the darker, more industrial corners of electronic music. Other collaborators include the rising London-based singer George Riley, the Norwegian electronic artist Sassy 009, and the versatile Australian producer Kučka.
To accompany the music, Bicep has once again prioritized a strong visual identity. The new singles are paired with music videos directed by Young Replicant (Alex Takacs), a filmmaker celebrated for his moody, cinematic storytelling. These videos are not merely standalone clips but are interconnected to form a short film centered on the subculture of pigeon fanciers. This choice of subject matter—a traditional, often overlooked hobby—mirrors the album’s themes of finding beauty in the mundane and the "slug-like" aspects of life. The visual narrative provides a grounded, human counterpoint to the duo’s often otherworldly synthesizers, creating a rich, multi-sensory experience for the audience.
The structure of Slug is equally impressive, spanning 18 tracks that suggest a narrative flow rather than a simple collection of club tracks. The tracklist reveals a carefully sequenced journey, beginning with the atmospheric "Gas" and weaving through high-profile collaborations like "Ultra" and "Curb" before concluding with "Tides." This expansive length allows the duo the breathing room to experiment with ambient passages, intricate rhythmic shifts, and various vocal textures that might have felt out of place on a more concise, dancefloor-focused LP.
In addition to the album news, Bicep has looked far into the future regarding their live performances. While the industry often operates on short lead times, the duo has already confirmed two major headline dates for 2027. They are set to perform at the Knockdown Center in New York City on March 21, 2027, followed by a massive homecoming-adjacent show at London’s Old Royal Naval College on July 31, 2027. These dates suggest that the duo is planning a long-term touring cycle for Slug, likely involving a brand-new live show that incorporates the album’s complex visual and sonic elements. The gap between the album release and these dates also hints at the scale of the production they intend to build, moving further into the realm of immersive, large-scale audiovisual installations.
Bicep’s rise to the top of the electronic music hierarchy has been a steady, decade-long climb. Starting as the curators of the influential Feel My Bicep blog, the duo transitioned into production with a series of well-received EPs before their 2017 self-titled debut album solidified them as a major force. That record, along with hits like "Glue," defined a specific era of "emotional dance music," blending nostalgia for the 90s rave scene with modern, high-fidelity production. Isles further refined this aesthetic, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning them two BRIT Award nominations.
However, with Slug, there is a palpable sense that McBriar and Ferguson are looking to shed the "stadium house" label that has occasionally been applied to them. By aligning with Ninja Tune once again—a label known for supporting artists who prioritize creative longevity over commercial trends—Bicep is signaling a commitment to their craft as composers. The album appears to be a conscious effort to ensure their music remains as relevant in a headphone listening environment as it does in a festival setting.
As the January 29 release date approaches, the anticipation within the electronic community continues to build. Slug stands as a testament to the duo’s maturity and their refusal to stagnate. By embracing the "extraordinary colors and intricate forms" of their new musical direction, Bicep is poised to deliver a record that challenges both themselves and their audience. Whether through the haunting vocals of Eartheater, the cinematic visions of Young Replicant, or the sheer ambition of an 18-track narrative, Slug is shaping up to be a landmark release in the duo’s already storied career.
The full tracklist for Slug is as follows:
01 Gas [ft. Lauren Duffus & Soarr]
02 Air [ft. Soarr]
03 777 [ft. Eartheater]
04 Lemonder
05 Ultra [ft. Eartheater & Saskia]
06 Cielo
07 Edmeno [ft. Clark]
08 Pole II [ft. Kehina]
09 Equarium [ft. Kehina]
10 Viper [ft. Clark & Saskia]
11 Curb [ft. George Riley & Kučka]
12 Horses
13 Janus [ft. Sassy 009]
14 Lamb [ft. Rowena Fysx]
15 Honda
16 Xy
17 Rose [ft. Kehina]
18 Tides [ft. Soarr]
Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how these diverse elements coalesce when the full project arrives early next year. For now, the released singles and the evocative imagery of the pigeon fanciers offer a tantalizing glimpse into the next chapter of Bicep’s evolution—a chapter defined by transformation, contrast, and a bold leap into the unknown.
