- Hybrid’s debut ‘Wide Angle’ was always going to be a difficult record to follow up, and here, four years on, is ‘Morning Sci-Fi’. On the former album the band established themselves as evocative breaks masters, with string textures to grace many a soundtrack. Here they have acquired a full time vocalist, Adam Taylor, and secured guest contributions from Peter Hook (twice) and Kirsty Hawkshaw.
Hook makes his presence felt early on, beefing up the edgy splendour of ‘True To Form’ with a riff straight out of Manchester. Taylor’s vocal is dark, in keeping with much of the album, the lyrics introspective but also soaring above the layered texture. The biggest successes here are the Eastern flavoured ‘Marrakech’, ‘Visible Noise’, which must have one of the most atmospheric beginnings I’ve ever heard, and ‘Higher Than A Skyscraper’, drenched in strings and with a touch of humour added. Not so sure about the lyrics on the closing ‘Blackout’ though, and a few lighter touches wouldn’t have gone amiss here.
A logical step forward for Hybrid then, a considerable advance on ‘Wide Angle’, and a rewarding collision of breaks and the cinematic. Listen in widescreen!
Tracklist
01. This is What It Means
02. True To Form
03. Know Your Enemy
04. Marrakech
05. I'm still awake
06. Visible Noise
07. We Are in Control
08. Higher Than A Skyscraper
09. Steal You Away
10. Gravastar
11. Out Of The Dark
12. Blackout