The long-awaited follow up to 2013’s The North Boarders couldn’t have come at a more relevant time for Bonobo. As an artist with a worldly influence of sounds, the record conjures up images of home and displacement when switching between minor strings and catchy drum loops.
A reflective album, written after British producer Simon Green moved away from London. He recently explained to Vice “It’s about how people can travel from one culture to another place and leave a trail of culture in that space.”
The record is startling at times as it pushes you along from track to track whilst providing room to breathe. Opener Migration is calm yet complex and will have you hooked after listen number three. Rhye’s vocals on Break Apart cascade over you as the tide comes in to take your sadness away. Surface, with Nicole Miglis, is a standout with refined, delicate layers giving the listener time to absorb each element at their own pace. Finally, Ontario evokes nostalgia from previous record Days to Come as grounding Middle Eastern instrumentation fills the void.
By Jemma King
