Just as Portishead are preparing to unveil
their 10 years in the waiting ‘Third’ album, Bristol
trip-hop veterans ‘Alpha’ are back with their eighth
album ‘The Sky Is Mine’. Originally part of the mass
hysteria that was trip hop, Alpha found itself signed to Massive
Attack's label Melankolic and over the past 10 years they have
honed their sound into a flourishing and orchestral tapestry that
utilises the skeleton of trip-hop to create something that is
far more ambitious. Although they have been whittled down to the
duo of producer Corin Dingley and vocalist Wendy Stubbs, they
bring into play a host of guests to create a full-bodied and tightly
wound soundscape that fuses electronic and acoustic instrumentation
with subtle, digital effects and sultry, soulful vocals.
Along with their guests, the duo carve
out arrangements that brim with dramatic intensity. A formula
of shimmering instrumentation, meandering downtrodden basslines,
electronic manipulations and smokey liquid vocals contribute to
a soundscape that swells and contracts gracefully, regularly whipping
up into an exquisite sonic storm that sucks the listener right
in.
With ‘Surely’ Alpha showcase
their full-bodied manifesto as the gloomy Portishead-esque bassline
glides listlessly whilst being accompanied by a myriad of sparkling
instrumentation, with the last minute or so being a particularly
delicious piece of melodica. The duo’s dark and delicate
persona rises to the fore on a number of occasions. ‘Brood’
encapsulates all the melancholy glory of trip-hop with its brooding,
spiraling and frequency-manipulated melodies and breathy vocals
that sore to giddying heights to create a magical hinterland of
hazy, noir-ish gorgeousness that rivals the best off of Goldfrapp’s
immense ‘Felt Mountain’ release. Continuing the theme
of sparse, noir-ish orchestration, ‘Burn Me Again’
plods along deliciously with a mystical, slow-burning fervor as
Stubb’s croons fragilely whilst the album closes with two
particularly delectable slow-core ballad’s which are steeped
in a downtrodden aesthetic.
When it comes to sweeping orchestral movements,
Alpha are right on the money. ‘May’ sees smoky horns
and shimmering keys bounce contemplatively but with a Jazzy edge
whilst ‘For The Wages’ see’s Wendy Stubb’s
vocals ooze-out and cascade around a captivating soundscape of
harmonium-laced melodies that utilises a slightly delayed, dubby
production. On the submerged, vintage ballroom-Jazz dynamic of
‘Stumbled’ ebbs and flows with an eerie Billie Holiday
vibe.
Throughout
the album, instrumentation is sparkling and arrangements are lush
and captivating. Light and airy soundscapes are reined in to a
mystical and gloom-riden tapestry to create a tangible sense of
energy and excitement, qualities which are abundant throughout
‘The Sky Is Mine’. (KS)
For
fans of: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man meets Shirley Bassey meets
early Goldfrapp
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