In the press release for ‘One Hundred Billion Sparks’, there is talk of how Max Cooper ‘searches for artistry amongst the mechanisms, emotions and constructs which yield our identity and experience’. Deep thinking indeed, but when you listen to the wonderful music he has produced it makes good sense. This is an album of progression, starting off in weightless form with the sort of textures you can dive into, but then gathering its momentum and reach to encompass some wonderful, full-bodied bass sounds and drum tracks. It is as though Cooper starts with just one spark, and it is some time before the beats arrive, but they do so in a perfectly timed set of circumstances and colours. Cooper weaves his intricate webs through fast and slow tempos, with glitchy vocals coming in and out of the mix that bring an essential human element. Cooper talks about his wish to bring science and nature to his music, and ‘One Hundred Billion Stars’ does just that – but crucially it works equally well if you don’t know the first thing about him. A rather special record.
Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5
