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Formats

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  ZENCD203CD  £8.00

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  ZEN2032 x Long Player  £18.00

Label

Ninja Tune

Illum Sphere

Ghosts Of Then & Now

Ryan Hunn, AKA Illum Sphere, is founder of Manchester’s renowned club night Hoya:Hoya, has remixed Radiohead, toured the world’s best club nights and released music on some of its finest imprints – 3024, Tectonic, Young Turks, and now Ninja Tune, where he’s found a long term home.

His album arrives on the back of eager expectation. If anyone seemed set to make one of the standout albums of the era, it was Illum Sphere. The good news is that he’s delivered in spades. "Ghosts Of Then And Now" has been deliberately and uncompromisingly conceived as a full length record, an album in the traditional sense, full of music that couldn’t be more modern, whilst nodding to Hunn's various influences.

Opener "Liquesce" – which features the drumming of Shigeto – is aptly titled, conjuring as it does a sense of blissful dissolution. It also contains a haunting refrain that’s deceptively familiar, the sort of melody line you’ll hear for years. The song ends abruptly (and cleverly) in a deep intake of breath, as if preparing itself for the album ahead.

"At Night" shows not only how adept with vocals Illum Sphere is – layering Mai Nestor of Facit’s beautiful voice into his music in a startlingly effective fashion – but also just how far he pushes the template of his form. Elements of all the go-to genres’ glitch, bass and drum experimentation are present here, but Hunn has mastered them completely, using them only for genuine emotive effect. "The Road" is the first of three fruitful collaborations with Shadowbox, AKA Bonnie Baxter. Driving drums with an industrial edge merge with anxious synths and looping, lilting melodies, the distinctive, rich vocal both seductive and foreboding.

"It’ll Be Over Soon" builds from an exploratory, ominous groove to a frenetic, restless release, in a study of mood that approaches the existential. "Lights Out In Shinjuku"'s deep bass and elemental, sci-fi synths steer the album towards its transcendental ending in "Embryonic". This the final part of the three Shadowbox collaborations, see her return to glorious effect. A simple, shuffle-swing drum and haunting melody give way to abruptly to ocean-deep bass and vast, emotive melody.

"Ghosts Of Then And Now" is further proof that electronic music is taking giant leaps forward. This is a record so rich in ideas, themes, textures and writing that it will draw the listener in time and time again. As such, it will take its place alongside the best works in the form.

Tracklist

• 01. Liquesce
  02. At Night Feat. Mai Nestor
  03. Sleeprunner
  04. The Earth Is Blind (Prelude)
  05. The Road Feat. Shadowbox
  06. Ra_Light
  07. It'll Be Over Soon
  08. One Letter From Death
  09. Ghosts Of Then And Now
  10. Love Theme From Foreverness Feat. Shadowbox
  11. Lights Out/In Shinjuku
  12. Near The End
  13. Embryonic Feat. Shadowbox