Album Review: Jon Hopkins - Immunity

Jon Hopkins may not quite be a household name, but recent collaborations with Brian Eno and his production work on Coldplay's Viva La Vida have provided him with a respectable reputation and a growing following of listeners. Immunity, Hopkins fourth album, makes for immersive listening that shifts from techno beats to ghostly ambiances across the two parts into which it's divided. Aggressive beats and deep shuddering bass dominate the first four tracks of the album. The casual listener could easily dismiss this as glitchy minimal tech, but Hopkins distinguishes himself from the pack with a highly-crafted mix that spatialises his sonics to give it depth and dimension. Over the rhythms Hopkins layers moody synthetic sounds that etch out subtle melodies and vaporous clouds of noise that drift in and out of consciousness to hypnotising effect.

Abandon Window heralds the album's ambient second half with a haunting and icy cool piano piece that allows Hopkins to show off his classical training and compositional skill. It feels like we have left the clatter of the nightclub behind, before Sun Harmonics moves us into a cosy intimate space. It melts into the dreamy title track, a lullaby that meanders through the subliminal, as King Creosote coos softly in the background. The track doesn't really end; rather it simply evaporates and we open our eyes to find that we are standing on the beach at daybreak. Waves crash on the sand and squawking seagulls fly above our heads as Hopkins' field recordings quietly fade. Immunity drips with a delicate beauty that is sure to resonate with many listeners.