Namlook & Spyra Virtual Vices IV

Well, what do you expect from Messr's Namlook and Spyra? You just know this album will be "cool" personified, a bit leftfield, a bit edgy. 4 chapters into this partnership and this album won't hold any surprises for fans. On first hearing that was certainly my impression, and as usual a few auditions reaps rewards especially with the opening track 'Femto'.

The real strength of this piece is the meandering lead synth lines which permeate the skeletal percussion. The motifs are a delight, improvised in nature yet so meaningful. The best track on the album. 'Sat Mute' offers the same treatments to a simplistic motif. There's an unmistakable 'jazz' approach adopted here and on many tracks, but don't let that put you off - I'm not a jazz fan but I still found this enjoyable. 'We don't Mind the Rain' is perhaps the most commercial cut, a delightful laid back jaunt through some solid beats and deceptive melodics. 'Sons and Daughters' resurrects that meandering melodic lead and though not quite as stunning as the opener it's a worthy successor. Sequencer fans won't find much to hang onto here, the beats are largely pecussive rather than synthetic but that's the whole point.

The final track 'Philomela Nocturne' is the longest at 17.10 and it is somewhat of a surprise after all that's preceded it. The approach here is ambient, drifting and largely abstract. No beat, just sonic textures. It is very interesting and it changes tack enough to keep the attention.