SBTRKT

Wonder Where We Land

Image of SBTRKT - Wonder Where We Land
Record Label
Young Turks

About this item

Having gone overground with his self-titled debut long player back in 2011, all went quiet on the SBTRKT release front soon after, leaving us waiting three years for new original material. His recent interim release of three instrumental ‘Transitions’ EPs joined the creative dots between the first and second albums, giving us pointers on what to expect next.

'Wonder Where We Land' traverses the current landscape of electronic post-dubstep / bass music, taking in the upbeat and downbeat, with minimal piano soul, house, synth-pop and hip hop used as points of reference along the way. Longtime collaborator Sampha continues his journey as main vocalist here, with Jessie Ware also reappearing alongside a wider spectrum of guests that includes Caroline Polachek (Chairlift), MCs Raury and A$AP Ferg, Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, Koreless and newcomer Denai Moore.

Opening with some experimental Wurlitzer weirdness, the bass drops into the subtle atmospherics of pianotronic ballad  'Wonder Where We Land' featuring Sampha, who also lays his fragility on 'Temporary View' and 'If It Happens'. One of a smattering of instros, 'Lantern' rides the arpeggiated synth-heavy Purple wave. 'Higher' offers a minimal trap groove while Raury speeds through his rap, taking a breath to sing the massive chorus hook. 'Look Away' is a fractured glitch-pop number complete with Autotuned vox by Caroline Polachek. The acoustic piano meets machine music theme continues on 'Problem (Solved)', which has Jessie Ware sounding sublime, and jittery Denai Moore-sung 'The Light'. Coming across like a Chemical Brothers future festival anthem 'New Dorp. New York' has Ezra Koenig icing the cake. The album closes with Ferg from the A$AP Mob freeforming over bombastic synth-fest 'Voices In My Head'.

Back to top