Returning to Houndstooth a year since the release of his One Sound / Layer Lock EP is Second Storey. After spending most of 2015 focussing on his collaboration with Laurence Osbourne - Second Storey & Appleblim present ALSO - over at R&S Records, Alec Storey came back into the fold as part of the Houndstooth 3rd anniversary compilation earlier this year. Now he returns to the label in full with a gleaming new EP, Bismuth. Initialising the release, title track Bismuth takes inspiration from a documentary on the visually impressive metal. Affected by its angular, complex 3D elements and fluid like structures the music itself mirrors the element’s appearance deploying the intricate precision of IDM creating its own multiplex of textures. Created directly after moving into his new studio, second track Vapor Valve is the product of Storey feeling invigorated by his fresh set up. Melodic poly rhythms and chord structures define the track from the outset which work neatly with Storey’s trademark tight percussion, which sits in that golden spot between bass and electro. Bringing the tempo up a couple of notches, Grand Rapid lives up to its title. Urgent in nature, it reflects the environment it was created in - crafted on a laptop while speeding through the countryside on a train. Propelled by its ever-present bassline groove, percussive elements speed and whir by in this pacey venture. Finally, Helicat completes the EP, built around the interplay between the main riff and synth percussion elements; from the outset bit-crushed bass drops and pommels out an electro-esque off beat rhythm while the synth line gives its circling answer. Those looking for deeper meaning to the title Helicat can tune into the bubbling sound that rises up midway, which Storey imaginatively describes as "a cat with helicopter wings on its head, taking off."