Squarepusher
Ufabulum
Date of release:
Buy PhysicalSquarepusher
Ufabulum
For those not familiar with the work of Tom ‘Squarepusher’ Jenkinson, Ufabulum is packed with minutely programmed, double/triple/quadruple-time drums and radical yet catchy melodies. For those who already demand those things from Jenkinson: expect all this and more.
Setting aside his jazzy noodling and the understated post-rock explorations of albums such as Music Is One Rotted Note, Jenkinson recently revealed his renewed fascination with pure electronics. Ufabulum is incontrovertible evidence of this, with sweeping, panoramic synth lines that optimistically stride forward (with a retrospective eye to the ‘80s). The video for first single Dark Steering features Jenkinson wearing a distinctly Daft Punk-esque racing helmet, appropriate as shades of Vangelis and the French masters’ Tron soundtrack are present.
Opening track 4001 is amongst the most jaw-dropping pieces of Jenkinson’s career; it’s a visionary ride surging with stadium-size keyboards. The rest of the first half resides on warm jets of metallic sub-bass and sweeping keys which mostly sound impressive, but occasionally, such as on Unreal Square, overly grand. But the second half is where things get really interesting, as Squarepusher literally goes into overdrive. Dark Steering injects skidding tyre shrieks into a towering intensity builder, while at the unrelenting end of the spectrum The Metallurgist is a head mash of mutated electronics and 303 Scopem Hard returns Jenkinson to his acid roots, with a rippling 303 assault that must rank amongst the most complex ever committed to tape.
Not many artists can claim their 13th album to be their best, but Ufabulum might have just crept over Jenkinson’s already Olympic-high bar.
Christopher James
ON theMusic TODAY
-
RAIN ON THE PARADE: The snubs and the scores of The Great Gatsby’s red carpet.
-
PREMIERE: Be among the first to see the brand new clip from In Hearts Wake.
-
BLOG: Did you know it's against the law to flush the toilet after 10pm in Switzerland? The Decline boys know now.
-
WARPED TOUR: We've come up with lists of bands who might and who definitely won't be playing Australia's Warped Tour late this year.
-
RECAP: The SCDPCGC get a boost from a "mild-stimulant" provided by a quack in this week's Mad Men. Chaos ensues...
-
PREMIERE: Emerging MC Dylan Joel is a good boy, making his rapping Granny a Vegemtite sandwich.
Free daily music news
Recommended
theMusic Store
-
Inpress Magazine Subscription
Melbourne is one of the few true rock & roll capitals of the world and Inpress magazine is the voice of this great rock & roll city. As Melbourne's most credible and cutting edge rock bible.
-
Indy Band Poster It
From the wall to the web the poster it is an inexpensive way to have you tour poster on The Guide.
-
The Band's Guide To Getting A Record Deal
In a jargon-free, easy-to-understand, practical style, the Band's Guide... steers readers through every aspect of getting a foothold in the music business
-
Australasian Music Industry Directory - Education Edition #49!
The ultimate print sourcebook for all the contacts in the Australian music market - thousands of listed companies & individuals in over 50 categories.
-
Arts Advertising Packages
Advertiose your next arts project in print, online and iPad from just $90!
Site lovingly hand–crafted by The Working Party
© 2012–13 Street Press Australia Pty Ltd

Comments