Album Review: Jon Hopkins - Immunity

Jon Hopkins has, for one reason or another, pretty consistently flown under the radar of most mainstream fans. His previous three albums have stuck to his own brand of electronica – sitting somewhat uncomfortably between Boards Of Canada-style chilled trip hop and dirty Burial-reminiscent beat music, with a forever present lush orchestration bent layered over it all. Immunity, Hopkins' fourth major release, sticks (for the most part) to this strategy.

Opener We Disappear is decidedly more danceable than previous sounds associated with Hopkins, having a very static and abrasive techno beat as the driving force, leaving his synth-orchestra-core piano work to dance around in the top end. It's, ultimately, a gorgeous track that shouldn't work nearly as well as it does. From there we move into more familiar territory, with eight-minute Open Eye Signal unfortunately falling into a comfortable rhythm a little too quickly and not delivering on promises made.

To his credit, Hopkins does create some truly lush soundscapes here. Abandon Window is nearly Tim Hecker reminiscent in its droning beauty, peppered with major chords to give hope amongst the oppressive production. Ten-minute Sun Harmonics comes closest to achieving what must be Hopkins' goal for much of his work – the track is repetitive but moving, gorgeous without being naff and genuinely moving and relaxing, even if it does outstay its welcome by a few minutes.

Immunity will not be the breakthrough album for Jon Hopkins. There's nothing wrong with this music, but there's hardly much to write home about over it. Fans will enjoy this new dosage of lush, beat interrupting cinematic electronica and appreciate the variations, but there's little to return to here.