Category:
Electronic

Try if you like:
Cocorosie, Joanna Newsom, Lamb, Massive Attack, Portishead

•   Vapours
•   Mend (to Fix, To Repair)

Why did trip hop never make the limelight? I think Massive Attack or Portishead where the closest trip hop act to make mainstream success but again, hardly anyone outside of a music fanatic will know who they are. Tricky, Portishead, Morcheeba and Massive Attack have made somewhat comeback albums this year but I'm afraid that it probably isn't going to amount to any more fame than they had previously.

Why this trip hop talk? Well, Elsiane's debut album, Hybrid, has just crossed my desk and damn if they haven't got one of the sexiest trip hop sounds since Lamb. Vocalist Elsieanne Caplette brings in elements of Lamb as well as a slight hint of Bjork's unique vocal delivery. Caplette has quite a nasally style but it really adds to the sultry arrangements that Stephane Sotto has managed to weave together. And like a good trip hop album, there are so many light jazzy references. "Prozaic" is one where this torch song styled jazz sits out very obviously. 

11 songs grace Hybrid and from this reviewer who likes diversity in his albums, he is actually enjoying the level playing field that Hybrid has to offer. No surprises just lovely, relaxing cinematic trip hop. Not a bad song in the 45 minutes worth of trip hop, and that is a feat in itself.