Underworld - Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future

Underworld
Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
2016
Spotify

Coming out of Coachella this year everyone could not stop talking about the return of LCD Soundsystem, and for good reason. But the next show on their lips was almost always Underworld. It was a magical show and one that many people thought they would never have the chance to see. It has been five years since their last proper album and the duo seemed to be moving in their own separate ways creatively. Then there was this: Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future. It is complex, heartfelt and incredibly beautiful. The first song which at eight minutes is no where near long enough wraps you up in their style and shows you a new way of looking at dance music. It can be dark yet still filled with love, it can be a bit grimey but still have mass appeal if it's good enough. On "If Rah" multi-instrumentalist and singer Karl Hyde's delivery is deadpan and filled with non sequiturs like "the origin of numbers is a questionable hypothesis" but Rick Smith's groove is so deep and so bold that you almost forget that Hyde is speaking at all. Underworld unlike many acts in their similar genre do actually focus on their lyrics and make sure that each song does have some kind of message and is not just vocals for vocals sake. Where the first two songs set the stage, and maybe serve as a reminder of who Underworld are "Low Burn" is where things take a slightly darker yet more four on the floor dance heavy vibe. This song always verges on the sparkle but manages to keep such depth. At about three minutes in it really gets going and every tool that Underworld have in their arsenal is slowly rolled out.

"Low Burn" is one of those songs that you simply don't forget, it sticks with you long after it ends. There is so much great music packed into 45 minutes it really is incredible. On the next track "Santiago Cuatro" we get a Spanish Guitar interlude which only serves as this really beautiful break in between the next track. It is elevator or hold music if that music was really intended to inspire and delight. "Motorhome" also sides more on the down tempo scale and instead of making a solid dance track puts on display a swirling synth behind Hyde's vocals. "Ova Nova" is the first track where Hyde sings more than one sentence at a time giving us a more classically structured song but never leaving the dance bones behind. What is also such a great little touch is the backup vocals on "Ova Nova" are sung by the duo's two daughters Tyler and Esme something Underworld has never done before. The transition of "Ova Nova" into "Nylon Shrug" is nothing short of masterful and makes for one of the best parts of the entire record. The two girls join Hyde again on "Nylon Shrug" and on this track Underworld beats the brakes off the song letting it soar and build into dance perfection. Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future is certainly a record that looks to the future, but it manages to stay very present with tracks made to inspire while still getting you on your feet. This record is an achievement, pure and simple and it is one that you cannot miss.

9.0 out of 10