High Contrast
The Agony & The Ecstasy
Hospital Records - out February 27
YOUNG and Welsh though he may be I could not say that I’m a big High Contrast fan.
Having seen him perform live at Brixton Hospitality I was slightly underwhelmed and while I like many of his older tracks, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be the kind of person to go out and buy a High Contrast album.
Well, I guess a leopard can change its spots.
‘The Agony and Ecstasy’ is short and to the point. Retro computer game-style keyboards litter the album, complimented by an excellent Who sample which dominates the second track ‘The Road Goes On Forever’.
The Radio One exclusive ‘The First Note Is Silent’ featuring Tiesto and Underworld is mainstream fare and you can easily spot where each artist had influence over the track, but I think High Contrast has managed to bring the trance gods under his control.
Oddly I find this track the most typically Hospital offering on the whole album, while still being the most ‘pop’.
Selah Corbin’s vocals are stunning and highlight High Contrast’s dedication to his work as pieces of music rather than simply ‘tunes’ (or should I say ‘choons’).
The flip side is also evident: I don’t think this album is necessarily the kind of thing you’d listen to when getting ready for a night out. Where are the soaring cut-and-paste vocal loops and gut-busting sub basslines?! (Danny Byrd I’m looking at you.)
But I digress. For all my dubiousness about High Contrast, give this a couple of listens and I think you’ll agree there are plenty of nuances to be found here, if you have the patience to look for them.
If you're not ready to invest in an entire album, check out the excellent 'The Road Goes On Forever' as soon as it hits the Hospital shop.