Gang Signs (Independent)

Although it would be too reductive to call it a side project, Gang Signs features Humans’ Peter Ricq, who sings and plays guitar alongside fellow vocalist Matea Sarenac (also credited with “samplers”) and drummer Adam Fink. If you’re a fan of the work Ricq and Robbie Slade do under the Humans banner—which could be described as EDM for indie kids reared on Animal Collective and LCD Soundsystem—you’ll be predisposed to like Gang Signs.

The trio’s tracks could be mixed seamlessly into those of Humans (DJs take note), but there are notable differences, too. Gang Signs is darker, moodier, more minimal, and considerably more lo-fi. That last quality is occasionally distracting on the group’s self-titled debut EP. The vocals are invariably obscured by weirdly claustrophobic-sounding reverb, and on cuts such as “Counting on You” and “Antidote”, the drums are too tinny to be so high in the mix.

Production issues aside, Gang Signs is onto something. The group has an overall vibe of chilled atmospherics, and a few excellent bits in particular (like the chant of “Gotta keep goin’ ” on the hypnotic “Prequel”, and the percolating bass line of “Runnin”) suggest that something even cooler is on the way.