Hybrid - Morning Sci-fi

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  • 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
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