Alternative Light Source

Clash (Magazine) - "The album standout is 'Universal Everything', a dazzling relation to the likes of 'Release The Pressure'. A thundering rhythmic attack is elevated by nuanced dynamics and not one but two goosebump prickling drops."

The Matrix and Fight Club were in theaters the last time Leftfield released an album, and in those 16 years, the former duo lost a member as Paul Daley has moved on to a solo career, leaving Neil Barnes the sole proprietor. In spite of this, 2015's Alternative Light Source picks up right where 1999's Rhythm and Stealth left off, and it does so without ignoring the modern sound. "Head and Shoulders," a wobbly highlight that recalls LFO or Mr. Oizo, brings in current group the Sleaford Mods to help bring the album up to time with an indie "dandruff warriors" rap, while Channy Leaneagh of Polica is an asset to her two tracks, wailing like a progressive house siren should during "Bilocation" and expertly auditioning for Underworld on the robot dancefloor wonder dubbed "Little Fish." The winding "Bad Radio" with Tunde Adebimpe is heavenly, Gary Numan-esque, and a bit like being in a Blade Runner character's head, and yet the complicated number is a perfect example of how Barnes is true to the Leftfield aesthetic, as all these guests are surrounded by dark and spacy house music, sometimes epic and sometimes intricate. The lack of urgency is also welcome, with Alternative Light Source slowly unfurling as the most natural and comfortable Leftfield album to date, and one confident enough to exit on "Levitate for You," a bold and bare R&B song somewhere between Prince and 4hero. ~ David Jeffries

ニール・バーンズのソロ・ユニットとして復活し、なんと16年(!)ぶりに届いた3作目。抜けもコシも緩急自在、ダークなんだけどどこか華やかなエレクトロ～テクノでいまもサクッと祭典を掌握できる底力に歓喜! そんな状況を熟知したうえでブッ込んでくるウォブル・ベースにスリーフォード・モッズを召喚、デジタルP.I.L.な踊り場でMJの亡霊をムーンウォークさせたような左岸節も挿むあたり……復活作としては完璧すぎ!
bounce (C)ヌーディーマン