Brilliance of a Falling Moon

エクスペリメンタル・ヒップホップの伝説的存在dalekによる新作。ウィル・ブルックス(MC dalek)とマイク・メアによって構想・作曲・プロデュースされた今作は、妥協を許さないスケールの大きな作品であり、現代の政治的空気感を鋭く映し出す作品。苛烈で埃にまみれたドラムブレイクに突き動かされ、不穏で異世界的なアトモスフィアに包まれている。国家による情報統制から植民地主義、トランプによる移民の悪魔化に至るまでを射程に捉えたブルックスのリリックは、世界の現状に対する怒りで満ちている。

Noisy hip-hop revolutionaries Dalek wrote Brilliance of a Falling Moon in response to the state of the world during Donald Trumps second term as president of the United States of America. The albums lyrics discuss class wars, suppression of information, and erasure of history, and clearly take a stance against fascism and oppression. Opening track "Better Than" establishes this position by proclaiming, "If you aint here to uplift then Im severing." "Knowledge | Understanding | Wisdom" laces a Portishead-like noir groove with anguished screams and chilling strings, resisting control and "taking no steps back." "Normalized Tragedy" strikes against the forced acceptance of genocide, murder, and brutality, while stressing the importance of culture and humanity. James Baldwins statement that "love has never been a popular movement" is sampled during "Expressions of Love," continuing the quote by addressing the listener and telling them that its up to them to make the decision not to be part of the problem. "Substance" chastises those who arent saying anything meaningful or contributing anything helpful. The albums shortest track, "I AM A MAN," is a direct assertion of identity and individuality, as well as an attack on religion. Closing track "By the Time We Arrive in El Salvador" is vicious and restless, with a heavy, swarming beat and an especially enraged vocal performance. Brilliance of a Falling Moon might be Daleks most consistent album yet, with all of the tracks around four or five minutes, all containing brooding, slow-to-midtempo beats, and all sticking to a theme of unification and resistance. In some cases, that could be a nice way of saying that all the songs sound the same, but here it feels like the band is simply playing to their strengths and doing what they do best. Theyre saying what needs to be said and doing it in a hopeful yet uncompromising way, acknowledging all of the horrors of the world and fighting for a better tomorrow. ~ Paul Simpson