Bicep Announce First Album in Five Years, Slug, Share New Singles and Short Film

Northern Irish electronic music production and DJ duo Bicep have officially broken their long-awaited studio silence, announcing details of their upcoming third full-length album, Slug. Slated for release on January 29 via Ninja Tune, the record marks the duo’s first major LP since their critically acclaimed 2021 sophomore album, Isles.

Alongside the album announcement, the acclaimed production pair—consisting of childhood friends Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson—have dropped a fresh triptych of singles. These new tracks include "Gas," featuring Lauren Duffus and Soarr; "Ultra," featuring Eartheater and Saskia; and "Equarium," featuring Kehina.

This latest drop follows a trio of singles that Bicep shared last month, which introduced fans to the sonic world of the new record through the tracks "Air," "Lemonder," and "Viper." Together, these releases signal a bold, expansive new chapter for the duo, who have spent the last half-decade touring the globe, headlining major festivals, and redefining contemporary electronic music.

The newly released tracks arrive accompanied by striking music videos directed by Young Replicant. The cinematic visuals unite across the releases to form a singular, cohesive short film centered on the subculture of pigeon fanciers, adding a distinct visual narrative to the electronic compositions.

According to official press materials, the title Slug was inspired by a fascinating natural juxtaposition: "the stark contrast between the land slug most people immediately picture and the extraordinary colours, shapes and intricate forms of their underwater counterparts." This concept of hidden beauty and unexpected evolutionary adaptation appears to serve as a thematic blueprint for the record’s diverse soundscapes.

In an accompanying statement detailing their artistic motivations for the project, Bicep elaborated on their desire to break away from expectations and explore uncharted musical territory. "For this album we really wanted to massively broaden what we do," the duo stated. "We wanted to make a much more varied album than our previous ones and push what people might expect BICEP to sound like."

Slug serves as the official follow-up to Isles, the duo’s commercially successful and critically lauded 2021 release that peaked high on the UK charts and earned widespread praise for its emotive, club-ready yet introspective melodic techno and house stylings. While Isles solidified Bicep’s status as heavyweights of modern electronic music, the expansive feature list on Slug suggests a broader, more collaborative horizon.

The upcoming 18-track album boasts a wealth of high-profile guest contributions and creative partnerships. In addition to the previously mentioned artists, the tracklist for Slug features collaborations with electronic producer Clark, vocalist George Riley, experimental pop artist Sassy 009, Kučka, Rowena Fysx, and Saskia, among others. The sheer scale of the tracklist—spanning nearly two dozen songs—hints at a sprawling, immersive listening experience designed to transcend traditional club boundaries and lean further into ambient, left-field, and experimental electronic realms.

To celebrate the release of Slug and bring the new material to the stage, Bicep have also lined up a pair of prominent live concert dates for 2027. The duo is scheduled to perform at New York City’s Knockdown Center on March 21, followed by a major open-air performance at London’s historic Old Royal Naval College on July 31. These performances are expected to showcase brand-new live hardware setups and stunning visual productions, continuing the duo’s reputation for delivering some of the most immersive live electronic music experiences in the world.

Fans looking forward to the full release can expect a deeply varied sonic journey when Slug drops on January 29 via Ninja Tune.

The complete tracklist for Bicep’s Slug is as follows:

01 Gas [ft. Lauren Duffus & Soarr]
02 Air [ft. Soarr]
03 777 [ft. Eartheater]
04 Lemonder
05 Ultra [ft. Eartheater & Saskia]
06 Cielo
07 Edmeno [ft. Clark]
08 Pole II [ft. Kehina]
09 Equarium [ft. Kehina]
10 Viper [ft. Clark & Saskia]
11 Curb [ft. George Riley & Kučka]
12 Horses
13 Janus [ft. Sassy 009]
14 Lamb [ft. Rowena Fysx]
15 Honda
16 Xy
17 Rose [ft. Kehina]
18 Tides [ft. Soarr]