Ufabulum
The English electronic musician's newest is in many ways a return to his earliest material. If people have forgotten the whimsical-yet-punishing pleasures of Squarepusher's breakbeat chaos, might it be a good a place to get onboard?
'Ufabulum' is the first Squarepusher album in a good while that sounds a hell of a lot like a Squarepusher album: an old one, with all the charm of his early records. Didn’t see that coming.
Ufabulum abandons Squarepusher’s usual 1 : 1 ratio of electronic : jazz in favor of 1 : 1, electronic : space adventure. I…
Verified electronic music legend Tom Jenkinson has been a pivotal force in his field as Squarepusher since the mid-'90s.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Tom Jenkinson was making a break for the mainstream after hearing the symphonic grandstanding of Ufabulum’s opening track, 4001. It’s a pose that lasts a full 30 seconds before the hilariously depressed sounding bass wubs of Unreal Square (clearly an amused nod to Skrillex and co.) confirm that, yes, Tom is fucking with us again.
In an on-point attempt to shake things up a bit, Artsdesk writer Joe Muggs suggested the new Squarepusher album should be reviewed by someone other than an old raver. There were, unfortunately, no takers so you’re stuck with me… an old raver. Then again, look on the bright side, look at this way - I’m fully qualified! Thus, although I cannot tell whether you’ll enjoy this if you wasted the last decade dredging slowly from The Strokes to Adele, if you revel in the sound of electronic trickery twisting your synapses inside out – wahay! – you’re home dry.