Northern Irish electronic music duo Bicep have officially announced their third studio album, ‘SLUG’, arriving January 29, 2027, through Ninja Tune. Featuring 18 tracks and collaborations with Eartheater, Lauren Duffus, Clark, George Riley and several other artists, the project marks their first full-length studio album in five years. To celebrate the announcement, the duo have released three new singles — ‘Gas’, ‘Ultra’ and ‘Equarium’ — alongside an ambitious audiovisual short film.

Bicep are preparing to return with one of their most extensive musical projects to date.

On October 20, 2026, the Belfast-born duo, consisting of Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson, officially announced SLUG, their long-awaited third studio album.

Scheduled for release on January 29, 2027, through Ninja Tune, the project follows their acclaimed 2021 album Isles and represents another significant evolution in their artistic identity.

With 18 tracks and an extensive collection of international collaborators, SLUG explores a wider range of electronic music influences while maintaining the atmospheric and emotional characteristics associated with Bicep’s sound.

The announcement also introduces three new productions, each accompanied by a music video forming part of a larger visual project.

‘SLUG’: A New Direction for Bicep

Throughout their career, Bicep have developed a distinctive musical identity combining house, techno, breakbeat and melodic electronic music.

Their productions frequently balance energetic rhythms with emotional arrangements and atmospheric synthesizers.

For SLUG, the duo wanted to expand those characteristics into a more unpredictable musical experience.

The album explores contrasts between different sounds, emotions and production techniques.

Clean percussion patterns appear alongside distorted electronic elements, while processed vocals interact with carefully developed synthesizer arrangements.

Rather than following a single musical formula, the project moves between different interpretations of Bicep’s established sound.

According to the artists, the recording process encouraged experimentation and the development of material that might previously have remained unfinished.

The result is an album designed to challenge listeners’ expectations while maintaining the emotional connection central to their previous work.

Why Is the Album Called ‘SLUG’?

The title carries an unusual meaning.

According to the duo, SLUG was inspired by the contrast between familiar land slugs and the colorful, complex forms of their underwater relatives.

The comparison became a metaphor for looking beyond initial appearances.

Something that might appear simple or unremarkable can reveal surprising complexity when examined from a different perspective.

That idea became an important part of the album’s musical and visual identity.

Throughout the project, contrasting elements are deliberately combined rather than separated.

Melancholy and euphoria, organic and electronic sounds, and clean and distorted textures coexist within the same musical universe.

The concept reflects Bicep’s interest in creating music that rewards repeated listening and reveals additional details over time.

Three New Singles: ‘Gas’, ‘Ultra’ and ‘Equarium’

Alongside the album announcement, Bicep have released three new tracks.

The first, Gas, features Lauren Duffus and SOARR.

The production introduces the collaborative approach that plays an important role throughout the record.

Ultra features experimental artist Eartheater alongside vocalist Saskia, bringing together different creative backgrounds within Bicep’s electronic production style.

The third release, Equarium, includes a contribution from Kehina.

These songs follow the earlier release of Air, Lemonder and Viper in September.

With six tracks now available, listeners have an initial introduction to the musical variety planned for the album.

The complete project will feature additional recordings and collaborations when it arrives in January.

Eartheater, Clark and George Riley Among the Collaborators

One of the most notable aspects of SLUG is its extensive collection of guest artists.

The album features contributions from musicians representing several areas of contemporary electronic and alternative music.

Among them is Eartheater, whose experimental productions and distinctive vocal performances have attracted an international following.

Electronic music producer Clark also contributes, bringing his experience in sound design and experimental electronic composition.

Other collaborators include Lauren Duffus, George Riley, KUČKA, Saskia, Kehina, Sassy 009, SOARR and Rowena Fysx.

These contributions allow Bicep to explore a wider range of vocal styles and musical arrangements.

Rather than limiting the project to instrumental electronic compositions, the duo have developed collaborations that introduce new creative perspectives.

The result is expected to be their most collaborative studio album to date.

A Three-Part Short Film Accompanies the Music

Bicep have also introduced an audiovisual project to accompany the latest singles.

The videos for Gas, Ultra and Equarium form a connected three-part short film directed by Alex Takács, also known as Young Replicant.

The project explores the unusual world of pigeon breeding and racing, drawing inspiration from stories involving valuable racing pigeons.

Its narrative combines underground communities, unusual personal interests and cinematic storytelling.

The visual concept reflects the album’s wider interest in discovering complexity and beauty within unexpected environments.

For Bicep, audiovisual production has become an increasingly important part of their artistic identity.

Their live performances regularly incorporate elaborate lighting and visual elements designed to complement their music.

The new short film extends that approach beyond the stage, connecting individual songs through a shared visual narrative.

From ‘Isles’ to ‘CHROMA’ and ‘SLUG’

Bicep’s last conventional studio album, Isles, arrived in January 2021.

The project expanded their international reputation through emotional electronic productions combining elements of breakbeat, house and melodic dance music.

Their catalogue also includes their self-titled debut album, released in 2017.

Following Isles, the duo continued developing new music and live experiences through the CHROMA project.

The audiovisual concept allowed them to explore heavier electronic sounds, alternative arrangements and a different relationship between music and visual production.

Their creative activities also included the soundtrack project TAKKUUK.

With SLUG, Bicep are returning to the full-length studio album format while incorporating ideas developed throughout these different projects.

The announcement represents the continuation of an artistic evolution rather than a return to one particular period of their career.

New Live Shows Planned for 2027

Alongside the album announcement, Bicep are preparing a new chapter of live performances.

The duo have confirmed plans for a new live show in 2027, continuing their interest in combining electronic music with ambitious visual production.

Upcoming appearances include a New York performance at Knockdown Center in March and a London show at the Old Royal Naval College on July 31.

They are also scheduled to appear at Primavera Sound Barcelona in June 2027.

These performances will provide opportunities to introduce the new album within a live environment.

Bicep’s concerts have become internationally recognized for their distinctive combination of sound, lighting and visual storytelling.

The upcoming project creates further opportunities to develop that relationship through new material.

Release Date and Formats

SLUG will be released on January 29, 2027, through Ninja Tune.

The album contains 18 tracks and will be available digitally and in physical editions.

Preorders include standard vinyl, special-edition vinyl, picture disc, CD and cassette formats.

The first six tracks are already available digitally through the album’s official Bandcamp page.

Additional information about the remaining songs and the new live production is expected ahead of the release.

A New Chapter for One of Electronic Music’s Most Distinctive Duos

Bicep have spent more