LUKE VIBERT
We Hear You
ZIQ240
Planet Mu 2009
14 Tracks. 65mins40secs

CD: Amazon UK | Boomkat LP: Amazon UK | Boomkat

Lord Vibert is back, once again on Planet Mu, which seems to have become a semi permanent home for his eclectic blend of electronic music. One of the forefathers of modern electronica, and a long-time friend of Richard D. James, Tom Jenkinson or Planet Mu boss Mike Paradinas, Vibert’s back catalogue spans more genres than these three put together. Ambient, hip-hop, drum’n’bass, library music, acid or funky disco have all been part of his diet, whether he recorded as Wagon Christ, Plug, Kerrier District, Amen Andrews or under his own name, and these are still constant elements of his sound, over fifteen years on from his first releases.

As has been the case throughout Vibert’s career, We Hear You is a widely diverse and spirited album, on which he not only summons some old friends, hip hop beats, disco house and acid squelches propping up the bulk of this collection, but he also brings in some more contemporary flavours by sprinkling flakes of dubstep and 2 step over tracks such as Belief File, De-pimp Act, Dive And Lie Wrecked or vinyl-only Electrophy for instance, giving this record some sharp outlines. Vibert is a wicked and agile playground master with an insatiable thirst for mixing old and new sounds and grooves, and We Hear You is fuelled with moments of thrilling fun (De-pimp Act, Batting For England, Pretty Old Acid Music, Porn Shirtwee), juicy slices of jittery dance floor oddities (Hot Sick, Square Footage, House Stabs) and healthy portions of twisted grooves (Belief File, We Hear You, Dive And Lie Wrecked, Electrophy or closing piece Arrogance), all bundled together with no apparent regard for consistency or homogeneity.

Like with many of Vibert’s records, it is difficult to grasp this one all at once, but the man never veers far from his usual themes here, and a few listens help piecing this jolly mess back together. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Vibert has retained every bit of the naivety and innocence that was present in his music over a decade ago, and while this could have well rendered him out of touch, it instead gives his work an edge, charm and sense of fun that is rather all too rare in electronic music these days. While he undoubtedly is serious about his records and career, Vibert never actually takes himself too seriously, and is not afraid of showing it. The result can be heard all over We Hear You. This is a rare gem, an electronic record with tons of soul and attitude, but entirely devoid of pretention, a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience from an artist who keeps bettering with age.

4.5/5

Planet Mu
CD: Amazon UK | Boomkat LP: Amazon UK | Boomkat