Wonky

Orbital's first album in eight years, featuring a collaboration with Zola Jesus, finds the Hartnoll brothers doing what they've always done best.

Orbital’s first LP since reforming in 2008 initially strikes out into familiar territory: the opening bars of One Big Moment revisit the combination of multilayered spoken-word samples and wistful, glassy chords perfected on 1994’s Snivilisation. Yet it’s soon apparent that the Hartnoll brothers haven’t returned for nostalgia's sake alone. Several tracks embrace dubstep rhythms: the most successful venture, Distractions, entwines hypnotic female vocal samples over intriguingly erratic synth melodies and stuttering beats.

Here’s every true fan’s worst hyphenated word: ‘come-back’. And Orbital are attempting a badly advised one.

The titans of 90s electronica still sound fresh, thanks to vintage synths and a dose of dubstep, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>

Orbital - Wonky review: In forgetting how to age gracefully, Orbital run the risk of tarnishing their reputation even further

13 years since their last great album, Orbital come good. CD review by Thomas H Green