We Never Went to Koxut Island

Though We Never Went to Koxut Island is their debut album, prior to its release Boulderdash were recording material for several years. Knowing that, perhaps the complexity on display here shouldn't be quite as startling, but the album is still a left-field gem from a pair of Swedish unknowns. Tortured midtempo breakbeats parry with a succession of fragile -- but completely developed -- melodies and occasional dub effects like delay and echo (note the heavy use of melodica on many tracks). "Window of Opportunity" and "Headless in a Topless Bar" are two highlights.