Synkro has been dominating my music selection for a while now. His music defies genres and boundaries and is unlike anything else being produced right now. Some of his most famous stuff flirts with dubstep and two-step, but it really goes beyond definitions. I’m almost finding it difficult to comprehend how someone can make so much mindblowingly good music.
My latest obsession is ‘Progression‘, the release comes with a beautiful remix from Indigo. As with most of Synkro’s music, ‘Progression’ is stunningly minimal and deep, dabbing into elements from various genres, not allowing to put your finger quite on it. His signature sound is alluring and haunting, just needs to be listened to when sitting back with eyes closed. The subtle broken beats and bassline reminiscent of a gently undulating sea surface stay with you for a while. Indigo’s remix does the original a fair amount of justice too, taking things to a sharper level, while staying true to the atmospheric vibes. Darker and with an added thrill, this remix is the perfect company. Dat bass! 10/10
We all know we’ve been waiting for this moment for a good five years. His last album ‘Tough Guys Don’t Dance’ took the world of drum & bass, and naturally the hopes are especially high for the legend that is High Contrast, aka Lincoln Barrett.
‘The Agony & The Ecstay‘ features a range of collaborations, from superstars such as Tiesto and Underworld as well as up-and-coming fresh new talents Med School signing Lung and Jessy Allen. Hospital’s Liane Carrol, who you may recognise from London Elektricity live, aswell as Chase & Status / Breakage vocalist Claire Maguire and Kid Adrifts’ Selah Corbin also feature on the album. The anticipation and excitement are through the roof…
The title track ‘The Agony & The Ecstasy’ with the stunning vocals from Selah Corbin kickstarts the album, with powerful string instruments and a generally grand feeling. This track characterises High Contrast’s new sound well in my opinion. It’s different from what was perhaps expected from HC. If five years did not leave a mark on the sound, we should be worried. Beautiful and cinematic, as well as catchy, this one is sure to be be heard on dance floors all over the country. ‘The Road Goes On Forever‘ is introduced with familiar melodies (The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’) and it grows into yet another dance anthem, with the unmistakable Hospitality vibe to it, guaranteed to be stuck in your head for a while.
‘Wish You Were Here‘ is one of my personal favourites, another collaboration with Selah Corbin. Her dreamy voice and orchestral elements make this heartbreakingly beautiful. The melancholic notes are understated and High Contrast yet again proves why he is the legend he is. Outrageously good!
‘Almost Human‘ with continues into darker soundscapes, Claire Maguire’s powerful vocals and the downtempo piano and guitar intro conclude in a breathtakingly powerful drum & bass. ‘The Only Way There‘, another track with Selah, brings more beautiful piano melodies, with the tempo turned down this time. The piano theme continues in various forms and tempos and interlaces different moods and tempos into one whole.
Again on the darker side, with tributes to a more classic drum & bass sounds from the past in the beats and bassline, ‘Father Can’t You See I’m Drowing‘ is another exciting masterpiece, where the ‘old’ sound of HC can be sensed, yet the track is something totally different. ‘The Stand‘ could easily be a film reel running, as the beautiful orchestral sounds create a movie soundtrack feelgood vibe. ‘All There Is‘ with vocals from Liane Carrol, culminates the album with appropriate epicness and euphoria.
Altogether the album is strong and really does feel more personal. The soundscapes are rich and sophisticated, the album feels very much ‘whole’. The piano melodies and orchestral elements represent High Contrast’s sound in 2012 for me, beautifully crafted and mature. The man who was already at the top of the game with his last album (regardless of the five year gap), pushed the bar higher once more. 9/10
‘The Agony & The Ecstasy’ is out on Hospital Records on 27th February 2012.
