Album Review - Orbital: Wonky

Orbital
Wonky
Rating: Grrrr

I am always wary when bands/artists get back together after breaking up, especially when said reason for splitting was because the band felt uninspired. So the ultimate question becomes are you getting back together for financial reasons or because you truly have something relevant to say after so many years? Based on Wonky, I can definitively say it is for the latter reason. Once one of the major stars of UK techno, brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll could seemingly do no wrong, until the disastrous one-two punch of The Altogether and The Blue Album finding Orbital in a massive creative rut. The band split thereafter, reforming in 2009 for a series of live dates, which apparently sparked their creative juices, culminating in their new album Wonky. To call this a return to form would do this album a disservice, because it doesn't sound like a band trying to re-create their old successes, but using that merely as a building block to explore other avenues while always focusing on the melodies, which is what made them such an important techno act from the beginning.

From opening track "One Big Moment," which hints at Orbital of the past with chiming synths and a cacophony of spoken word samples before buzz saw synths take over, Wonky announces itself as the new Orbital. The push and pull between the heavenly chimes and dirtier synths creates amazing tension in the track.



"New France (ft. Zola Jesus)" wanders into the epic terrain of M83, using Zola Jesus' warcry vocals to perfect effect over the waves of scattering synths and rushing beats.



"Never" brightens the record with some of the sunniest melodies they've ever put together, almost giving the song a Balearic feel.



"Straight Sun" combines playful piano melodies and synth squiggles, then slowly adding an almost dubstep wobble as the pace increases to a feverish techno thud.



Speaking of dubstep, it appears even Orbital is not immune to its spell. "Beelzedub," a reworking of their classic track "Satan," adds plenty of low end bass and harsh keyboards over clattering percussion, until the coda breaks down into a furious Drum n' Bass workout. Strangely, this excursion feels right at home among the other 8 tracks, and doesn't stink of crass pandering. But while Orbital find time to explore more current genres, their tried and true techno still shines brighter. "Stringy Acid" feels like a classic Orbital track, seamlessly working different strains of synths into one another over a classic rave groove.

The only track that really doesn't seem to work in context of the record as a whole is the title cut "Wonky." While musically it has an interesting electro-house buzz to it, the addition of rapper Lady Leshurr to the proceedings feels like a slightly misguided attempt to jump on the Nicki Minaj style of rap bandwagon. While the beginning of the track grates on one's nerves, the bridge finds the song take on a more traditional approach which ultimately saves the track from being an outright disappointment. The video is so good, I can even overlook the part of the song I dislike.



I did not expect to enjoy Wonky as much as I did. Even more surprising was how it got better and better with each listen. If this signals a creative rejuvenation for the Hartnoll brothers, by all means, they need to share their secret with countless other reformed acts to show them how it is done. Wonky is not just a return to form, it is stellar album that sits easily alongside their best work.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.