Disclosure returned in February with the brand new ‘Ecstasy’ EP where they rolled out a track a day over five days in the same vein to their last release, the ‘Moonlight’ EP (2018). Only this time, the ‘Ecstasy’ EP was in fact, a precursor to their third album ‘ENERGY’ – set for release on August 28th on Island Records.
The news comes alongside the first offering from the album and aptly the records’ title track. ENERGY pits a raucous rhythm from an album of Brazilian library music against a cut up samples of Eric Thomas, the same hip hop preacher whose words memorably appeared on 2013’s ‘When a Fire Starts to Burn’. Thomas gives the whole album a kind of manifesto: “Look! Where your focus goes, your energy flows. Are you hearing me?”. The Kid Studio directed video gives props to the underdog in an undeniably feelgood visual to counteract these sombre times – and even perhaps an illustration of uncanny foresight into the predicted post-lockdown baby boom?
On the single, Disclosure said “when we found Eric many years ago, he was like a goldmine of inspirational quotes and motivational speeches. Even if he was speaking to a room of five it was like he was addressing a stadium. He has an immense presence and energy about him that translates so well into music – especially house music. This time we cut up various speeches to make something that makes sense. What he says is basically the whole concept for the record, that’s why it became the title track.”
Although Eric’s recognisable and life affirming voice has been utilised by the brothers previously, there are notable new features across the length of ENERGY the album. A global spectrum of talented artists grace the record – and for the first time this includes rappers. Appearances from Mick Jenkins,ChannelTres, Aminé and slowthai sit comfortably alongside the legend that is Common. Other features include the inimitable Kelis who opens the album and FatoumataDiawara who the boys have also linked up with previously. Cameroon’s Blick Bassy brings his own flow to the table while a powerhouse team of Kehlani & Syd ease the pace with their contribution.
For the exhilarating new album ‘ENERGY’ the title is everything. “The thing that decided which songs made it and which songs didn’t was that one word: energy. Every track was written really quickly. That’s why we had to write so many songs because those ones don’t come up every day. Or every week. Or every month.” Through an epic process of creation and distillation the path to producing their shortest, most direct album – 11 songs, 39 minutes – ran through around 200 tracks: everything from drum loops to fully realised songs.
Since live touring has been paused during the global pandemic and their own plans for 2020 now being put on hold, Guy (and sadly not Howard as they isolated in different countries) found an outlet for his desire to give people a good time no matter what the circumstances by doing a regular run of their popular Kitchen Mix parties via live stream, a set for Boiler Room and a one off special to celebrate Earth Day.
