Album Review: Disclosure - Energy

Electronic duo Disclosure are bursting on Energy, eager to throw us an iso party to rival an illegal kebab shop rave. 

Sticking to the tried and true formula of many now-classic electronic dance albums, the brothers Lawrence deploy an engaging selection of vocalists to do their thing while their grooves joyously bounce all over the floor. Getting things started, Watch Your Step - featuring Kelis - works an '80s disco house vibe. Channel Tres, who dropped the irresistible hip house bump of Sexy Black Timberlake last year, is the ideal choice to feature on Lavender as Disclosure pound the floor with insistent house beats. Aminé and slowthai keep the pace up with My High, while the album's title track gyrates to feelgood beats and a sampled spoken word instruction from a motivational speaker.

When they pause so that we can catch our breath, Disclosure take listeners for excursions on unexpected tangents. Fatoumata Diawara delivers a Bambara love letter to Mali in Douha (Mali Mali) - returning after her Grammy-nominated spot on the duo's 2018 record, Ultimatum - while Kehlani and Syd's sweet harmonies spin a supremely chill R&B mood. A little reflection on these difficult times from Common wraps up this remarkably accomplished long-player from Disclosure.