Three new singles arrive with the news, with Eartheater, Kehina, Lauren Duffus, SOARR and Saskia as guests. An earlier single release includes a collaboration with Clark.
BICEP will release ‘SLUG’, a new studio album, on Jan 29, 2027, on Ninja Tune. The label calls it an 18-track album “spanning the full breadth” of the Belfast duo’s sound, according to its official release page. Three new singles came out with the announcement. Pitchfork calls it their first album in five years, after 2021’s ‘Isles’. That makes BICEP’s ‘SLUG’ one of the first big electronic albums of 2027.
What is on BICEP’s SLUG so far
The new singles are “Gas,” with Lauren Duffus and SOARR, and “Ultra,” with Eartheater and Saskia. The third is “Equarium,” with Kehina. Before that, BICEP released “Air,” “Lemonder” and “Viper.” That earlier set includes a collaboration with the Warp and Throttle Records producer Clark, plus vocals from Saskia and SOARR, Ninja Tune says.
So six tracks are already out. Together, they hint at the wider range of voices on the record.
The track count needs a note. Ninja Tune’s text says 18 tracks. However, its tracklist shows 19 numbered entries, starting with “Intro.” Album-only titles include “777,” “Cielo,” “Horses” and “Tides.”
Why the album is called SLUG
The title plays on a contrast. Most people picture a plain land slug, but sea slugs come in bright colors and strange shapes. “It felt like an amazing metaphor: you think one thing, but actually there’s a whole world beyond what you initially perceive,” BICEP say on the label’s page.
Ninja Tune says the same idea shapes the sound. For example, clean drum patterns were distorted and clear vocals went through analogue processing. Soft synths also sit against rougher textures, the label says.
Formats and pre-orders
Ninja Tune lists several editions for pre-order. They include a limited picture-disc 2LP, a special edition on yellow vinyl, a limited Irish edition on silver vinyl and a standard black 2LP. There is also a 2CD, a limited cassette and digital downloads. The album is also on BICEP’s Bandcamp.
With BICEP’s ‘SLUG’ due in late January, the duo open a busy early 2027 for electronic albums. Martin Garrix’s ‘MARTY’ follows on March 5.
Sources: Ninja Tune release page: SLUG by BICEP; BICEP on Bandcamp; Pitchfork; Stereogum; Electronic Groove, Oct 21
Image: ‘SLUG’ album artwork, BICEP / Ninja Tune
