Continuing a triumphant early-2020s creative resurgence, Moby once again mines his mainstream peak period with another catalog reimagining for Deutsche Grammophon, Resound NYC. Taking songs that he recorded in New York City from 1994 to 2010, this is more than just a simple "add some strings, make it classy" orchestral reworking: these are transformations on a grand, opulent scale that push the tracks to cinematic proportions, almost making the originals sound like bedroom demos. Moby blasts off with Gregory Porter on the uplifting, euphoric "In My Heart" from 2002s 18, a potent introduction that leads into another 18 cut, "Extreme Ways" with Dougy Mandagi, a full-band-and-orchestra moment so epic it could grace an opera house stage. The mood shifts from Radio City to the jazz club as funky horns blare and a slinky bassline grooves on "South Side," a riotous celebration made even more energetic by Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs. Later, Amythyst Kiah merges Nina Simone and Meshell Ndegeocello on the bluesy "Flower (Find My Baby)," which combines the Play hit with its B-side, just as "Run On" and "Walk with Me" take the smoky blues delivery even further with the help of Danielle and Elijah Ponder and Lady Blackbird, respectively. Emotions swell on the heartfelt "In This World" with a duetting Marisha Wallace and Nicole Scherzinger; on the tender "Signs of Love"; and on the sweeping, string-backed elegy "When Its Cold Id Like to Die" with P.T. Banks. Like on 2021s Reprise, these midtempo inclusions once again highlight the deep well of heart and soul that has always resided beneath the dance beats and atmospheric synths in Mobys catalog, showcasing his knack for making listeners feel as much as they want to rave. Additional standouts include "The Perfect Life" -- a Bowie-esque reworking with a returning Wilson that tugs on the heartstrings like an indie/emo anthem before exploding with triumphant horns and a life-affirming choir section -- and "Second Cool Hive" featuring Oum and Sarah Willis, an all-encompassing swirl of bongos, strings, and synths that builds upon "First Cool Hive" from his 1995 breakthrough Everything Is Wrong. Hearing these decades-old hits in a fresh light is revelatory. By injecting such a collaborative, human element into the beloved originals, Moby pulls off yet another successful catalog reimagining with heart and soul to spare. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Rovi