There has been a huge amount of hype around Grimes, the work of Canadian Clare Boucher – but here it goes a long way to being justified. ‘Visions’ is a remarkable fusion of styles old and new, sounding at times like early Aphex Twin or Burial, but with a certain warmth in the production that shines through. This is despite Boucher’s icy vocals, because they have appeal too, whether in ‘Genesis’ or ‘Circumambient’ bringing in a semblance of 1980s pop as well as the sort of block chords that characterised early rave music. The break beats are powerful, the synths chunky, the vocals something else entirely, a kind of cross between Saint Etienne and the Cocteau Twins. It’s a winning formula though, and with a striking sleeve drawn as a self portrait, the idea that Boucher is a raw talent with potential to die for just cannot go away.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
