Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost

So, Zero 7’s supposed “uptempo” album. After dabbling in electronica under another aliases, the duo try and bridge the gap between their two musical personas – with generally excellent results.  
Mr. McGee launches the album in triumphant fashion – a rousing, 4/4-driven soul anthem that Basement Jaxx would be proud of, new singer Eska belting out those tight harmonies. Clearly, things have changed. The delicate lilt of Swing follows, with more gorgeous harmonies and lots of cheery chimes, marimbas and guitar strumming, and the wistful, rhythmic folk of Pop Art Blue touches base with their better-known sound. Medicine Man feels like slightly tired soul – but stick with it, and it unfolds into a manic electronic climax.
 
And indeed, they venture further into electronic fields; the lazy, crystalline sounds and at once haunting and soothing vocals of Ghost Symbol come across like vintage Leftfield, Sleeper sees stuttered vocals, deep, plodding bass and lots of electro synths and bleeps buzzing away under Eska’s insomniac vocals, and All Of Us bubbles away like some sort of chill-out techno. The Road adds some contrast, beautifully soft and mellow, it’s another one to keep the coffee-table fans happy – but no less lovely for it.
 
It’s a successful experiment by and large, and one that needs to be seen in the live arena to be fully appreciated.