Album Review: Daphni - Jiaolong

Dan Snaith has become something of a dance king since 2010's impeccable Swim, created as Caribou. Others will know his electronic work as Manitoba, but here with Jiaolong under the guise of Daphni, the focus is on concise blasts of beatwork more akin to his DJ sets.

It feels like a rough patchwork of ideas, an intriguing insight into Snaith's methods of containing moments of madness in the ebbs and flows of synth and beats, like on opener Yes, I Know. The record doesn't necessarily have an easy flow to it, but it's meant to be seen as more of a compilation of ideas rather than a thematically linked collection, thus it's easier to grasp the sudden switch to the world music-flecked remix of Ne Noya two tracks in. There are momentary sparks igniting memories of Caribou, with the pitchy flute on Light echoing with a syncopated drum machine. It's in the meaty middle of this record, though, that it really hits its stride. With no distracting repetitive lyrics, Snaith concentrates on minute details; the snare on Pairs mirroring the distantly hidden cowbell that's overpowered by nasal key chords. It's fascinating to listen to because it works on two levels simultaneously; a cautionary glance would suggest simple, danceable electronic music, but beneath lays mathematical precision in sound.

Jiaolong isn't necessarily the finest of Snaith's work, though it's a faithful reproduction of his DJing style for those yet to see him in that environment, and the listener will be left with the sensation of sound so cleverly crafted.