Tag: Heavy, Super Spins
Release date: 10 February 2014
Illum Sphere is the project of Londoner Ryan Hunn, whose debut full-length The Ghosts of Then & Now is a stunning display of polyphonic UK Garage/British Dubstep. It is a work relentlessly in flux that feels like an experiment in coalescence; Hunn adds and subtracts elements in singular compositions that evolve and devolve in curious and abstract ways that stylishly flow amongst and against each other. Ghosts plays up the DnB of Squarepusher, the hi-hat beats of Burial, and the cool no-sweat trip-hop flow of Massive Attack’s first two albums. Hunn works in string backings in classic British downtempo style in addition to an eclectic basswork that underpins each track. Motifs are less dense than those of labelmates Lee Bannon, Deco Child, and Toddla T Sound. There’s a lightning piano jazz track on “Near the End” that’s a must-listen, and the slow-groove vocals of guest artist Shadowbox are enchanting on “Love Theme from Forgiveness.” Ghosts captivates the mind, and it’s easy to get lost in the haze of beats, rhythms, and bass. If you like this, you’ll really like this. It’s not for the party but for the drive back home under the starry night sky.
Beautiful, but not for morning shows. Do it for club/electronic music shows. Out on Ninja Tune.
All clean! Cuts are in bold.
1. Liquesce – (2:29)
2. At Night – (3:51)
3. Sleep Runner – (3:16)
4. The Earth is Blind (Prelude) – (1:16)
5. The Road – (3:25)
6. Ra_Light – (3:59)
7. It’ll Be Over Soon – (3:50)
8. One Letter from Death – (2:34)
9. The Ghosts of Then and Now – (4:46)
10. Love Theme from Forgiveness – (4:16)
11. Lights Out/In Shinjuku – (3:16)
12. Near the End – (3:38)
13. Embryonic – (2:45)
RIYL: Squarepusher, Burial, FaltyDL, Bonobo, Machinedrum, Heavenly Beat, TKOL RMX 1234567, Jamie xx, Lee Bannon
External links:
http://www.dummymag.com/reviews/album-of-the-week-illum-sphere-ghosts-of-then-and-now
https://ninjatune.net/release/illum-sphere/ghosts-of-then-and-now
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