Bicep (album)

Bicep is the self-titled debut album by electronic music duo Bicep, released on Ninja Tune on 1 September 2017.^[1]

Bicep
Studio album by Bicep
Released	1 September 2017 (2017-09-01)
Genre	Electronic
Length	57:57
Label	Ninja Tune
Producer	Bicep
Bicep chronology
Bicep (2017) Isles (2021)
Singles from Bicep
"Aura" Released: 15 June 2017 "Glue" Released: 2 November 2017 "Vale" Released: 2017 "Rain" Released: 11 April 2018

Upon its release, Bicep went in at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart.^[2] The album received positive reviews on its release, with support from publications such as Pitchfork, The Guardian, Resident Advisor and Mixmag.

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.7/10[3]
Metacritic	79/100[4]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Clash	8/10[6]
Exclaim!	7/10[7]
Financial Times	[8]
The Guardian	[9]
Mixmag	9/10[10]
Pitchfork	7.4/10[11]
PopMatters	8/10[12]
Resident Advisor	4.2/5[13]
The Skinny	[14]

Pitchfork referred to the album as "a varied document drawing on the rich history and variety of UK dance music, updated with sleek, modern sounds, vibrant psychedelic textures, and impeccable production".^[11]

Mixmag referred to it as "laser focused in the pursuit of pleasure" and that Bicep "makes absolute sense as a complete album".^[10]

The Guardian noted that the debut album "fitfully lives up to expectations", naming "Aura" as "one of the dance tracks of the year".^[9]

Resident Advisor praised the "rich and varied LP", noting "They out do themselves on Bicep... Contemporary, relevant and, most of all, exciting".^[13]

Mixmag later placed the album in first place on their list of Top Albums of the Year, referring to the album as "simultaneously classic and undeniably contemporary".^[15]

The lead single, "Glue", was voted by the public as DJ Mag's (Best of British) Track of the Year.^[16] It also reached number 1 topping Amazon's Best Electronic of 2017.^[17] second in Mixmag's 100 Best Tracks of 2017,^[18] and the Joe Wilson directed video came in at number three in Fact magazine's ten best music videos of 2017.^[19]

Track listing

All tracks written by Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar, except where noted.

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"Orca"		4:34
2.	"Glue"		4:29
3.	"Kites"		6:26
4.	"Vespa"		1:27
5.	"Ayaya"		3:36
6.	"Spring"		6:55
7.	"Drift"	Amy Spencer	4:55
8.	"Opal"		4:31
9.	"Rain"		5:51
10.	"Ayr"	Amy Spencer	5:00
11.	"Vale"		4:57
12.	"Aura"		5:17
Total length:			57:57

Notes

• "Spring" contains a sample of "Chalte Chalte Yun Hi Koi" from the soundtrack of Pakeezah, written by Ghulam Mohammed and Kaifi Azmi, and sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
• "Rain" contains a sample of "Husn Hazir Hai" from the soundtrack of Laila Majnu, written by Madan Mohan, Jaidev and Sahir Ludhianvi, and sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Personnel

Bicep

• Andrew Ferguson
• Matthew McBriar

Charts

Chart (2017–2018)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[20]	113
Irish Albums (IRMA)[21]	67
UK Albums (OCC)[2]	20

Certifications

Certifications for Bicep

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Silver	60,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.