Boom Bip

After spending the last few years building his rep as an innovative sculptor of breathtaking left-field hip-hop, Boom Bip (aka Bryan Hollon) has abandoned his post for his third full-length. Blue Eyed in the Red Room is an album that transcends any simple categorisation, and judging by the lack of MCs featured here (there being none in total) and the absence of any real bouncy beat, he’s fine with pushing his already forward-thinking music full speed ahead. With Blue Eyed, Hollon proves he’s more interested in exploring the organic side of electronic music making for a broader, more atmospheric sensation. From the opening M83-like dream pop ambience of "Cimple” and the following Aphex Twin-like beatscapes in "The Move,” to the natural folktronic acoustics of "One Eye Round the Warm Corner,” he takes you on a spellbinding trip through this newfound glory. Getting Super Furry Animals front man Gruff Rhys to lend his pipes to the tribal rhythms and circus clown melody of "Do’s & Don’ts” (a return favour for remixing SFA last year) is a real shining moment, as is his other collaboration with Nina Nastasia. Closing out with the sensual and poignant voice of the chanteuse, it’s a real triumph, dousing her words in some hypnotising strings and guitar trills. Boom Bip may not be churning out a hip-hop vibe this time out, but he hasn’t lost his touch when it comes to creating sublime music.