ALBUM: The Chemical Brothers ‘Born In The Echoes’

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Born In Echoes is the eighth studio album from Manchester electronic dance music duo The Chemical Brothers. Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons return with eleven more “big beats” on their latest record – some of which they recently played at Glastonbury.

It’s hard to stand out in the currently booming EDM genre, but the developed, idiosyncratic beats of The Chemical Brothers – influenced by seminal Manchester bands including New Order – and previous chart-topping efforts means their music stands comfortably on the shoulders of other names within the genre. Opening track ‘Sometimes I Feel So Deserted’ is a slow but strong introduction to the record, and leads nicely into ‘Go’, which hosts a funkier bass and synthesisers that are guaranteed to get the crowds, well, going at Bestival later this year.

‘Under Neon Lights’ is the first collaborative effort on the record, featuring vocals from St Vincent’s Annie Clark. The track stands out for its trance-inducing, chaotic background synths and pulsating drums. “Oh, I guess I’m in heaven,” muses Clark – dance music heaven to be precise. ‘EML Ritual’ features guest vocals from Ali Smith and echoes of paranoia with its layered vocals, manic synths, and drums which feel like a throbbing heart-beat.

The irresistibly up-beat ‘I’ll See You There’ will get any reluctant crowd members moving with its regular drop-ins that follow the chant worthy vocal: “the future, I’ll see you there”. ‘Just Bang’ and ‘Relexion’ also rely on the listener’s irrepressible urge to dance, with the latter hosting no vocals at all. Whilst this will be a winning combination on a dance floor, it does prove to be a little tedious on the ears when sat still.

‘Taste Of Honey’ is bitter-sweet, hosting an unsettlingly realistic bumble-bee sound effect, whilst eponymous track ‘Born In The Echoes’ – which features Cate Le Bon on vocals – bounces back and forth, culminating in “rings of sound” on this short but memorable track. Two relatively ambient tracks close the album: ‘Radiate’ and ‘Wide Open’, the latter featuring guest vocals from Beck. ‘Wide Open’ lives up to its name, running for almost six minutes whilst Beck’s careful vocals stretch over breezy, melodic synths. It is an excellent choice of closing track.

The Chemical Brothers’ electronic efforts recognise and respect their listener’s need to dance under never-ending neon lights. These urges are prevalent throughout Born In Echoes, which will lead the listener by the hand to any dance floor.

Born In Echoes is released on 24th July on EMI Virgin Records.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington

Kate Crudgington

Assistant Editor for Gigslutz (2015-2017) Now Co-Founder, Co-Host & Features Editor for @getinherears