There is a sense of controlled temperament, that in turn has developed space for tamed moments and vulnerable stances. Serving as a poignant reminder to push boundaries and make real world effort.
A sense of controlled temperament
Loraine James releases her sophomore album for Hyperdub, created in the summer of 2020. This absolutely thrilling, expressive showcase is suitably titled Reflection. Similar to other artists we have heard over the course of numerous global focuses during the pandemic lockdowns, we are given a glimpse into the mindset of Loraine James whilst the world around her is fused with all forms of fear and adrenaline.
What stands apart from others within her field, pulling away from the various mood swings, is the personal fragility weaved between the headphone to club ready transients that come from her leftfield approach to Drill, R&B and in some cases Pop movements—in both sound design and lyrical form.
Those of you that have followed Loraine’s career will be all too familiar with prior releases honing in towards glitch and grime influences. Her take on IDM is evocative, unlike the common associations with the controversial genre title—it has purpose, whilst remaining stylistic. Moving forward from her brash sounds on Nothing (Hyperdub 2020), the glitchy percussion isn’t always front and center here. There is a sense of controlled temperament, that in turn has developed space for tamed moments and vulnerable stances. This translates especially well in “Self Doubt (Leaving The Club Early),”—it is reminiscent of hearing The Streets “Blinded By The Lights,” for the first time; bold, yet accented with ethereal characteristics, that forever keep it evolving.
Big sound system moments are not shy on Reflection, pre-empting the return to the club scene with tracks such as “Lets go,” and the first single “Simple Stuff.” Maintaining the emotive carrying point throughout, these are more than straight up bangers—they can equally take consideration for deep listening at home.
Big sound system moments are not shy on Reflection, pre-empting the return to the club scene.
Personal selections include pairings, “Insecure Behaviour and Fuckery,” with Nova. Also, “Running like that,” with Eden Samara, which has been given a highly stylistic music video by Rob Heppell. The vocal features throughout Reflection are an organic match to each forward-thinking UK Bass, IDM and R&B combination. Each artist contributing their own highlight that as a collective creates an understanding on a universal scale of attitudes and pains that go beyond the single year we’ve all been bubbled in.
As the LP closes, Loraine sums up Reflection with “We’re Building Something New,” featuring Iceboy Violet. Serving as a poignant reminder to push boundaries and make real world effort, as she has clearly proved in this stunning album.
Hyperdub is a UK based label, founded in 2004 and headed up by Kode9 and their artist roster includes Burial, The Bug, Ikonika & Fatima Al Qadiri.
Reflection is available on Hyperdub. [Bandcamp]
