{"product_id":"zen203","title":"Illum Sphere - Ghosts Of Then And Now","description":"\u003cp\u003eRyan Hunn, AKA \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/ninjatune.net\/artist\/illum-sphere\"\u003eIllum Sphere\u003c\/a\u003e, is founder of Manchester’s renowned club night \u003cstrong\u003eHoya:Hoya\u003c\/strong\u003e, has remixed \u003cstrong\u003eRadiohead\u003c\/strong\u003e, toured the world’s best club nights and released music on some of its finest imprints – \u003cstrong\u003e3024\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eTectonic\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eYoung Turks\u003c\/strong\u003e, and now \u003cstrong\u003eNinja Tune\u003c\/strong\u003e, where he’s found a long term home.\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis album arrives on the back of eager expectation. If anyone seemed set to make one of the standout albums of the era, it was \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/ninjatune.net\/artist\/illum-sphere\"\u003eIllum Sphere\u003c\/a\u003e. The good news is that he’s delivered in spades.\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ninjatune.net\/release\/illum-sphere\/ghosts-of-then-and-now\"\u003eGhosts Of Then And Now\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e has been deliberately and uncompromisingly conceived as a full length record; an album in the traditional sense, full of music that couldn’t be more modern, whilst nodding to Hunn's various influences.\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpener \u003cstrong\u003e\"Liquesce\"\u003c\/strong\u003e – which features the drumming of \u003cstrong\u003eShigeto\u003c\/strong\u003e – is aptly titled, conjuring as it does a sense of blissful dissolution. It also contains a haunting refrain that’s deceptively familiar, the sort of melody line you’ll hear for years. The song ends abruptly (and cleverly) in a deep intake of breath, as if preparing itself for the album ahead. \r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"\u003c\/em\u003eAt Night\u003cem\u003e\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e shows not only how adept with vocals \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/ninjatune.net\/artist\/illum-sphere\"\u003eIllum Sphere\u003c\/a\u003e is – layering \u003cstrong\u003eMai Nestor\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eFacit’s\u003c\/strong\u003e beautiful voice into his music in a startlingly effective fashion – but also just how far he pushes the template of his form. Elements of all the go-to genres’ glitch, bass and drum experimentation are present here, but Hunn has mastered them completely, using them only for genuine emotive effect.\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"The Road\"\u003c\/strong\u003e is the first of three fruitful collaborations with \u003cstrong\u003eShadowbox\u003c\/strong\u003e, AKA \u003cstrong\u003eBonnie Baxter\u003c\/strong\u003e. Driving drums with an industrial edge merge with anxious synths and looping, lilting melodies, the distinctive, rich vocal both seductive and foreboding. \r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"It’ll Be Over Soon\"\u003c\/strong\u003e builds from an exploratory, ominous groove to a frenetic, restless release, in a study of mood that approaches the existential. \u003cstrong\u003e\"Lights Out \/ In Shinjuku’s\"\u003c\/strong\u003e deep bass and elemental, sci-fi synths steer the album towards its transcendental ending in \u003cstrong\u003e\"Embryonic.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e This the final part of the three \u003cstrong\u003eShadowbox\u003c\/strong\u003e collaborations, see her return to glorious effect. A simple, shuffle-swing drum and haunting melody give way to abruptly to ocean-deep bass and vast, emotive melody.\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ninjatune.net\/release\/illum-sphere\/ghosts-of-then-and-now\"\u003eGhosts Of Then And Now\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is further proof that electronic music is taking giant leaps forward. This is a record so rich in ideas, themes, textures and writing that it will draw the listener in time and time again. As such, it will take its place alongside the best works in the form.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ninjatune","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":44934238503071,"sku":"ZENCD203","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2xLP","offer_id":44934238535839,"sku":"ZEN203","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Japanese Edition CD","offer_id":44934238568607,"sku":"BRC405","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0493\/8563\/5999\/products\/ghosts-of-then-and-now-main.jpg?v=1736246386","url":"https:\/\/merch.ninjatune.net\/products\/zen203","provider":"Ninja Tune","version":"1.0","type":"link"}