Album Review: Bibio - Silver Wilkinson

British musician Stephen Wilkinson, aka Bibio, has a pretty enviable reputation as a very dualistic artist. Coming out of a very progressive musical environment in Middlesex University, he has impressed with his ability to blend some great electronic production ability with intimate acoustic playing. His new long-player, Silver Wilkinson is no different, and flourishes in the weird, black-and-white world that Bibio has created for it.

First of all, what's probably the most noticeable thing is just how much delicacy Wilkinson has used in creating Silver Wilkinson. While almost all of his previous work, stretching back to 2005, has incorporated ample electronic bells and whistles, this new LP kicks off with very little fanfare. The First Daffodils is a casually relaxing affair, as elegant guitar chords wash over subtle strings and analogue vinyl scratches. Dye The Water Green was tracked in a shed during the rain, and the connection to the longing that comes through Wilkinson's lyrics is inescapable; one of the standout numbers on the record, the track is incredibly moving. Then, there's more of the same: Wulf wobbles ungracefully, Mirroring All keeps the rain theme going. It's not until first single A Tout A L'Huere that the Bibio of past catchy pop-gem meanderings make himself known again. A gloriously driving track, it pretty much encompasses the Bibio sound, while still being a complete new step away from old work. Then, there's You and Look At Orion!, two tracks of spacey electro-future sounds puzzlingly thrust between analogue folk tracks.

You've gotta admire the man for his balls: Bibio heeds no boundaries in bringing moonlit, sombre folk and party tunes together. Whether you have the patience for it is another matter.