Net Music Review

Dissapear Here by Hybrid

For fans of Hybrid it has been a four year wait for the follow up to 2006's "I Chose Noise", for a group so prolific, certainly with remixes and soundtracks, it seemed like an eternity. However, "Disappear Here" is proof that good things come to those who wait and it's not as if they have been sitting on their backsides doing nothing; sessions began back in 2008. During that time a lot of material was recorded with new member, vocalist Charlotte James, but the band complained that it sounded too much like indie rock rather, this led to an arduous process and picking the best bits from what they already had and then almost restarting production again. The results are there for all to see and are at times breathtaking.

Hybrid's sound is often best described as progressive beats containing elements of house and trance, yet it has always had a somewhat cinematic feel, lush soundscapes that feel limitless, this is often best illustrated by their use of live orchestration rather than bog standard samples. The overall feel is slightly more sombre and slower paced than some of their previous offerings, certainly until towards the end of the album, but this is no bad thing. Opener "Empire" starts off broodingly and is immediately recognisable as Hybrid so distinctive is their sound. It acts as little more than an atmospheric beginning to the album, this is by no means a criticism as it showcases all the typical elements that Hybrid normally display. It isn't until second track "Can You Hear Me" that you realise something is quite different from previously, when Charlotte James' ethereal vocals glide over the top of a slow and pounding drum beat. Whilst this would never make today's Top 40 it would be rather refreshing if this or something similar would break up the monotony. "Green Shell Suit" showcases the trance influences mentioned earlier, gorgeous synths floating around giving way to a more structured beat and drifting in and out of the mix. Title track "Disappear Here" is one of the standout moments of the entire album, all elements combining perfectly, pounding beat, menacing bass, synths and James' soaring vocals to create five plus minutes of sheer perfection.

"Formula Of Fear" sounds very much like a traditional Hybrid tune, starting off with throbbing beats and bass, threatening to take off at any moment. "Salt" is something of a surprise with its tribal beat at the heart sounding at times like Massive Attack from the "Mezzanine" era. "Original Sin" picks the pace up again with its house like beat and creeping bassline that you see yourself to dancing to in a dimly lit, sweaty, crowded club. This is a trend continued by "Take a Fall" and "Break My Soul" where there is an underlying feeling of a sense of urgency that ties all three tracks together nicely. At times the album even feels like a comedown or chill out album, the blessed out nature of tracks like "Every Word" and the achingly beautiful closing song "Numb" demonstrate this perfectly.

It is clear that Hybrid has certainly evolved over the course of the years from their stunning debut "Wide Angle" back in 1999 they have retained their roots and sense of identity. The tracks do often top five, six, or even seven minutes there is plenty going on not to make them boring. For anyone into break beats, big beat or other forms of electronic music this is a must.