Album Review: Seekae - The Worry

Once you navigate through the awkward first 90 seconds of Back Out, the opening track on Seekae’s third album, The Worry, the familiar beats that fans have been hanging out for kick in. But it’s second song, Another, that sets the tone for The Worry. The slow, dreamlike bassline will, when listened to on a quality set of headphones or speakers, take you away to that faraway place where Seekae resides. And then the vocals land.

Anyone who discovered the Sydney trio through 2012’s +Dome, and in particular the unstoppable track Blood Bank, would be forgiven for expecting The Worry to be filled with the same glitchy, ambient techno that inhabited that album. Instead, however, this time Seekae rely a lot more on percussionist Alex Cameron’s vocals. And despite reaching for the same kind of sound as, say, James Blake, it seems Seekae have taken their eyes (slightly) off what has proven a successful formula – and it doesn’t deliver quite the same punch.

There are highlights, such as the title track and the summery Further, where the arrangements are built to incorporate the vocals as an integral part of the song. But with all songs relying on Cameron’s limited vocal range rather than production intricacies, The Worry could alienate existing fans. But those discovering Seekae for the first time will be pleased with the strong production quality and ambition to deliver an intelligent and well-rounded record, and this album shows that the band aren’t interested in being pigeonholed.