Luke Vibert - YosePh (Warp)

[mr.lizard]

‘Eagerly awaited’ is a phrase that seems to apply for this, the first Warp album from electronica mainstay, Aphex crony and all-round acid-head Luke Vibert. At least that’s where the PR is coming from.

Music is often compared to sex (perhaps due to the sexual frustrations of music reviewers?). And what with (understandably) such a climactic build-up to this release from the Warp promotional behemoth, you may expect YosePh to deliver one of the most ground-shattering audiogasms of your goddamn life. The real deal, however, comes across like a comfortable bout of masturbation in the comfortable environs of your own home, rather than a wildstyle romp under a Tahitian gazebo (which is what I’m currently dreaming of).

Mmmm, but “I love acid”, argues Vibert. And how. Well, we’ve all got a soft spot for it, Luke, but it’s admirable to see a man unashamedly keeping his standard pinned to the same mast.

Joke we may, but this album is still a winner in its own way. What is done here is done consummately well. For the buyer, it’s really a question of whether you are interested in investing in what boils down to a collection of midtempo acid instrumentals with crystalline breaks. Musically, Vibert isn’t so much pushing the envelope as keeping it in the pocket of his jacket until it’s maybe too late to send after all. It’s music that has stayed still, but become even better produced, and on the face of it, what’s wrong with that?

The single, “I Love Acid”, really typifies the whole collection. It’s a steady wade through hydrochloric bubble-bop waters – the beats, as always, crispier than an overcooked wonton, and never straying down the tangential paths of Vibert’s drill’n’bass workouts. And that, really, is that. This feels over-critical, but in fact this album is an enjoyable listen, even after several plays: but more likely to pleasantly blow over you than blow you away.

Some way through the plush acid-slowjam ‘Freaktime Baby’, what sounds like a vacuum starts up and continues for a short while. Fittingly so, as it may be that you’ll find more important household chores to do while listening YosePh. It sounds good but you’ve heard it all before.

Now that’s what I call acid.

I give this baby:

Luke Vibert - YosePh