Detached From The Rest Of You

ノース・ロンドン出身の鬼才が、最新アルバムを発表!
Miho Hatori (チボ・マット)、Tirzahら参加
Aoki takamasaやRyoji Ikedaといった00年代電子音楽からの影響をポップに昇華した快作

ジャズ、エレクトロニカ、ベース・ミュージック、アンビエントなど、さまざまな音楽的影響を現代の感性で表現した作品で高い評価を得てきたロンドンのプロデューサー、Loraine James。内なる葛藤と変化への渇望を原動力に制作された最新作『Detached From The Rest Of You』は2025年にシンガーAnysia Kymと手がけたEP『Clandestine』での制作経験を経て、よりポップなアプローチと、インストゥルメンタルを洗練された楽曲構造へ落とし込む手法を獲得し、その経験を制作に落とし込むことで完成した。

クラブ志向のサウンドや曲折的な展開から一歩進み、より明確で凝縮されたソング・フォームへとシフトしている。

プロダクションは極限まで削ぎ落とされ、Aoki takamasaやRyoji Ikeda、2000年代初頭のClicks & Cutsに着想を得たクリックやグリッチの音響空間が広がる。ミニマルな鍵盤の和音と余白を巧みに活かし、音とヴォーカルのあいだに生まれる空間が、これまでで最も自信に満ちたダイレクトな作品へと結実した。

客演には、Sydney Spann("In a Rut")、Alan Sparhawk(Low/"Peak Again")、Miho Hatori(Cibo Matto/"Flatline")、Anysia Kym("Score")、Tirzah("Habits and Patterns")が参加。さらに旧知のラッパーLe3 bLACKが、Fyn Dobsonのジャズ色豊かなドラムを従えた"Ending Us All"で再び鋭いリリックを響かせている。

Loraine James fourth Hyperdub full-length embraces the clicks n cuts aesthetic that was common to labels like Mille Plateaux and Raster-Noton during the 2000s, yet is also closer to her idea of a pop album, with vocals appearing in nearly all of the tracks. The arrangements are often stark, taken up mainly by glitchy rhythms and soft synth pads along with vocals, from James as well as an array of guests. James own lyrics are plainly stated and confessional, as on tracks like "The Book of Self Doubt" and "Seems Like I," though she often embellishes them with pitched-up accompaniments. The tracks with guests are often the most successful, as they offer a bit more tonal and melodic counterpoint. "In a Rut" is a lovely duet with Sydney Spann, gently expressing the feeling of a creative and emotional block. James was inspired to go in this streamlined, vocal-forward direction after working with Anysia Kym on the 2025 EP Clandestine, and Kym returns for the delicate, flower-like "Score." Miho Hatori guests on "Flatline," a low-key but incredibly fun tune with excited, pinprick synths and dreamy vocals. Alan Sparhawk proposes that we should be making love instead of waging war during "Peak Again," which gradually shifts from a trip-hop shuffle to a blurry, diced-up beat. Considering the direction Sparhawk took with Lows last few albums and subsequent solo effort White Roses, My God, his appearance on a Loraine James album feels perfectly natural. Tirzah floats above the awkward, unsettling buzzes and detached pianos of "Habits and Patterns," and "Ending Us All" is a more aggressive yet atmospheric grime-influenced track featuring rapper Le3 bLACK and drummer Fyn Dobson. The lengthy "Forever Still (Steel)" is James at her angstiest, with sharp drum hits and increasingly aggressive vocals, though shes snarling over gently rustling beats and smeared synths. ~ Paul Simpson