Laurent Garnier’s fourth album takes us on a detour from the more obvious stylings of techno and house, guiding us into a more atmospheric, unpredictable arena. If you’re looking for another “Crispy Bacon”, you’ll be disappointed. Sure, there are a few uptempo moments, with “Controlling The House Pt 2” a prime example of the man’s gift for body-jacking beats, but it’s a grimy, Chicago era houser with dark undercurrents and a paranoid edge. And “First Reaction (V2)” is bonafide hip-hop with a David Lynch-like intensity. As a whole however, it’s a gloomily visual piece, drum machines and their ilk rejected in favour of cinematic sweeps, classical and jazz flourishes, and ultimately the listeners own interpretation of the music. Sometimes it feels like it’s taking itself a little too seriously. You can’t help but wish it would lighten up a little and dance occasionally. However, it’s a challenging, far from predictable release and certainly a bit different from the usual run-of-the-mill artist album.
3 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Darren Wall
