Published by Mason Oldridge, 2 September 2023
Superstar DJs The Chemical Brothers are back with another collection of those block rockin’ beats on their tenth album.
The intro, a remix of the titular closing track, ropes you in with distorted vocals repeating over a pulsating dance beat. Lead single No Reason is the standout of the album, as the marching band drums collide with slick bass and the brothers’ trademark sounds to make for a recognisable centrepiece. Furthermore, Feels Like I Am Dreaming is one of the better tracks too thanks to its gripping sample, heavier beat and sinister bridge. Unfortunately, a fair few are a bit too similar to each other to stand out on their own.
Musically, the album continues the duo’s latest era, with more instrumental and sample led songs similar to their previous release, in contrast to the more lyrically structured Born in the Echoes and We Are the Night. Despite this, no song reaches the heights of predecessor No Geography, which affirmatively confirmed the brothers’ continuing strength in music production.
In conclusion, Rowlands and Simons demonstrate confidence in sticking with their traditional sound rather than conforming to the ever-changing dance music landscape, proving their staying talent in the process.
7/10