DARKSIDE - Spiral

Matador Records

DARKSIDE's second album, their first since 'Psychic' in 2013, sees the partnership of Nicolas Jaar and David Harrington reach serious heights of neo-psychedelic splendor. Perfectly positioned placements of sonic palettes render 'Spiral' the most superb sounding record of 2021 - there hasn't been a more pleasing record on the ears. A masterclass in mixing, production and engineering forge a euphonious affair.

Spacious, yet undoubtedly claustrophobic, this record has the capacity to shape shift effortlessly from out there, to right in there - ultimately manifesting in your psyche and taking forms of liquid gold, free-flowing in infinite form. 'Spiral' whispers hints of 60's psychedelia - ghost-like in nature, ethereal in spirit - while existing firmly in contemporary soundscapes. Simmering like hot and heavy molasses Spiral brews to life, wisping iridescent froths in it's wake.

Taking a midnight trip around your local dwellings has never been so succinctly sound tracked - mischievous and sullenly seductive. Enticing thoughts of cobbled streets and inconspicuous dealings, the underbelly of your minds eye comes to thriving life. Brimming with essence and brooding with unadulterated mood, Jaar and Harrington have produced a work that will no doubt be looked upon as a 'how on earth did they do that' type of ordeal. It's electronic eloquence at its finest, most cryptic, hour.

"The question is to see it all, or decide there's nothing there"

Favourite Track: Liberty Bell, Lawmaker