Inner Song

Kelly Lee Owens second album switches styles and moods as much as her acclaimed 2017 debut did, flipping from downtempo dream pop to spacy techno with ease. None of her clubby solo singles (or her starry Jon Hopkins collaboration) released between 2017 and 2019 are present, and while they could potentially fit on the album, the tracks that are present feel more introspective. Even the opening instrumental, an electronic interpretation of Radioheads Arpeggi, seems like an idea thats been burrowing in her heart for a long while before she finally set it to tape. On starts out as a breezy, drifting tune about moving on before a gliding techno beat takes over. A few other tracks are more dramatic synth pop ballads, such as the lush, confessional L.I.N.E. (love is not enough), the hazy trip-hop of Re-Wild, and the wistful but empowering Wake-Up. Corner of My Sky is the records most spaced-out excursion, with guest John Cale providing poetic reminiscence in English and Welsh over slowly expanding synths. The albums most playful beat-driven track is Melt!, a gorgeous, shimmering techno song that creatively incorporates samples of ice-skating and melting glacial ice, intended as a musical commentary on the issue of climate change. The stargazing Jeanette is more intense, recalling progressive house at its most cosmic, while Nights synths are more reserved, allowing room for Owens ethereal chant it feels so good to be in love. Like her debut, Inner Song covers a lot of emotional ground, and her exploratory spirit is just as captivating as the messages she expresses. ~ Paul Simpson

元看護師という、やや異色のキャリアを持つケリーちゃんのセカンド・アルバムがリリース! ちょっぴり暗めのミニマル・ドリーム・テクノなデビュー盤がすこぶる良く、ジョン・ホプキンスとのコラボも話題になった彼女の新作は、前作の路線を踏襲しつつも緩急を付けて以前よりもメリハリのある構成になっておりまったく飽きない!『 DRAGON』をリリースした頃のような電気グルーヴのテクノ感が好みの方にはハマるやも。
bounce (C)人與拓馬