This is a very different kettle of fish to Nathan Fake’s previous album, ‘The Sea Of Love’. In that record he explored a love of shoegaze textures, whereas ‘Hard Islands’ strips things back, ups the tempo, and sharpens the riffs and beats to an extent that he could almost be a new signing for Warp. This being Fake the tracks are extremely accomplished, know where they want to go and make the minimum of fuss in getting there. ‘Basic Mountain’ sounds like something Orbital might have done circa ‘In Sides’, a euphoric piece of electronica that goes through some wonderful sounds. ‘Fentiger’ is a bit more ominous with its rolling drums, but progresses into something ultimately more funky. It’s very interesting to hear someone who sounds so different between albums one and two – the mind boggles as to what he might come up with next!
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
