Album Review: Born In Echoes by The Chemical Brothers

By Tim

This month, The Chemical Brothers take the spotlight with their eighth studio album, ‘Born In The Echoes’. The English electronic production duo, previously featured on Electrified for their throwback hit “Galvanize”, returned to the scene on a high note after five years between their previous album and ‘Echoes’. The album upholds the quality The Chemical Brothers are known for. A blend of funky and groovy beats and cool, new styles makes this comeback reminiscent of Daft Punk’s return to the scene in 2013 with their album ‘Random Access Memories’. ‘Echoes’ also features plenty of exciting collaborations to keep things interesting!
 
The album’s first track and first single, “Sometimes I Feel So Deserted”, opens the album on a chill, groovy note, and it really sets the mood for the beginning of the album. It segues into second track and second single “Go” with ease. “Go” features American rapper and record producer Q-Tip, the first of many exciting collaborations on this project. Q-Tip brings his energetic style to the track, making it the perfect meshing of urban and electronic influences, and it is one of the strong points of the album. The third track and third single, “Under Neon Lights”, features the rising American singer-songwriter St. Vincent. This is one of those addicting tracks asking to be put on replay. Like “Go” was the perfect blending of the urban and dance worlds, “Under Neon Lights” meshes the electronic and indie scenes phenomenally.

I mentioned ‘Echoes’ is an album of high quality. What I love about it is that at times it is so easy to get lost in the music that it sounds more like an extended DJ mix than an album. The songs flow into one another seamlessly, and I would say they fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces. Moving on from the singles, the collaborations continue as the album moves into fourth track “EML Ritual”. The song features Ali Love, an English musician and singer-songwriter who is a member of the house music group Hot Natured. Fifth track “I’ll See You There” borrows from Canadian poet Bill Bissett. The middle of the album continues flowing thanks to tracks like “Just Bang” and “Reflexion”, with grimy, underground beats that would entice fans of newcomers like Disclosure.
 
The album ends much like it begins, with that sense of effortless cool and more exciting collaborations. The title track features Cate Le Bon, a Welsh singer-songwriter followed by “Radiate”, a number featuring Colin Stetson, touring member of Arcade Fire and Bon Iver. The album closes with “Wide Open”, which features this year’s Grammy’s Album of the Year winner, Beck. This track is another highlight of the album due to both Beck’s lyrical talent and The Chemical Brothers’ abilities to close an album on such a flawless note. The deluxe version of ‘Echoes’ also features bonus tracks “Let Us Build A City” and “Wo Ha”, as well as extended mixes of “Go” and “Reflexion”.
 
The Chemical Brothers are back in full force on “Born In The Echoes”. After 20 plus years in the electronic world, they’ve held strong for good reason. Their personal style has evolved yet the quality is just as incredible as ever. Features from Beck, Q-Tip, St. Vincent, Ali Love, Cate Le Bon and Colin Stetson not only add fuel to the fire that is one amazing album but also mix a variety of musical genres together like a melting pot. You’ll hear this one echoing through the replay button.

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