![Review: Submotion Orchestra - Fragments [Album]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/3/0/8/3/4/artworks-000030123690-11bgw0-crop.jpg)
![Review: Submotion Orchestra - Fragments [Album]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/altthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fhangout.altsounds.com%2Fgeek%2Fgars%2Fimages%2F3%2F0%2F8%2F3%2F4%2Fartworks-000030123690-11bgw0-crop.jpg&w=500&h=500&zc=1&q=70){kind=small}
Spread the Social Love:
Submotion Orchestra first came to light in 2009 and quickly gained a reputation of an ensemble like no other. With the release of the 7-piece, Leeds based groups first album Finest Hour in 2011, Submotion Orchestra have since become notorious on the live scene and the festival circuit, bringing their magic to stages all across Europe, engaging the ever eager crowd and leaving them truly gob-smacked. If you've caught Submotion Orchestra live, you'll know what I mean.
The fact that music like this can be produced; intricate, stunning electronic music, and that it translates into a live context that isn't just turntable and speaker stacks, fills me with faith in modern music again. It's refreshing, it's inspirational and it's much needed.
Submotion Orchestra's ability to work up a song into a beautiful frenzy is second to none and this is more than evident in their second album Fragments. It feels so much more accomplished and tighter than any of their previous work and Submotion Orchestra's sound is more organic than ever...a truly blissful piece of work, simply sublime compositions suitable for anything, any mood, any time, any place. From the tinkling keys of the intro, built up with layers and layers of sounds; hand claps, crashing cymbals and leading horns, Fragments ensures it grabs you straight away, slapping you in the face and giving you a much needed musical wake up call!
'Blind Spot' starts with some jangling and other subtle sounds and builds into this sub-bass that could have you shaking, were it not down-tempo. Ruby Wood's vocals enter and I'm transfixed. Whilst there's an underlying dub-step 'wobble' it is portrayed in such a tenderly, beautiful way to match Ruby's vocals, it's simply stunning.
'Thinking' has me almost falling off my chair as I'm that excited about how fresh it sounds. Ruby's vocals are just gorgeous and the dub groove has me moving; it's the kind of dub I am familiar with, and love, not the commercial crap that Radio 1 pumps out all day, everyday - this is real music. There's some cheeky little conga patterns dotted about 'Thinking' and Ruby's voice is reminiscent of the late, great Aaliyah.
Chilling it out again with 'Snow', the trumpet / keys combo provided by Bobby (aka Simon Beddoe) and Taz Modi in the intro sets the mood nicely. Strings are worked in and with Ruby's dripping vocals it makes for a heartbreakingly breathtaking track.
Submotion Orchestra keep things mellow with 'Sleepwalker' but I'm initially not sold on this one, until we hit the bridge and it begins to build. There's a really nice 'baggy' sound to the snare running throughout, and actually the whole song kinda feels a little baggy and loose, not as in that it isn't tight enough, it' just feels really effortless and relaxed...'Sleepwalker's definitely a grower! 'Bird of Prey' has a really dancey intro to it, with beach like sound affects before Submotion Orchestra drop in the bass from out of nowhere, while the beat just builds up & up..
Featuring Rider Shafique, who sounds very much like Faithless' Maxi Jaxx, 'Times Strange' is a great, anthemic, dub track with thought provoking lyrics such as:
One thing Submotion Orchestra have absolutely nailed is the ability to build layer upon layer without overworking it and risk spoiling the track. This is more than prevalent with 'Eyeline'; crashing waves of cymbal rolls paired with superb string sections and complex electronic arrangements, could be overkill....but not for this lot!
Again we have another dancey intro into 'It's Not Me, It's You' and I'm instantly taken back to my garage raving days. Effectively a break up song - but fuck the usual ballad - 'It's Not Me, It's You' is how you do it! There's also some great remixes floating around of this track, including Alix Perez' drum and bass re-working, a corker for sure!
'Fallen' immediately brings to mind the film The Beach. 'Thousand Year Stare' feels really sinister with it's suspended notes hanging in the air. It's a darker track for the band with a more commercial, dub-step sound - but the film of strings and horns on the surface sets it apart from the more generic dub-step sound that the dance charts have been infiltrated with.
'Coming Up for Air' it the last track on Fragments and is suitably soothing after the physical onslaught of 'Thousand Year Stare'! Almost questioning strings flirt and play with Ruby's vocals; it's a strikingly haunting track and the perfect way to close the album.
Fragments is released 24th September (digitally) / 8th October (physically) on Exceptional Blue Records and you can grab your copy here:But if you can't wait that long, you can preview it on SoundCloud:
Submotion Orchestra are touring the UK throughout October, be quick as tickets are going fast!
Tour Dates
The fact that music like this can be produced; intricate, stunning electronic music, and that it translates into a live context that isn't just turntable and speaker stacks, fills me with faith in modern music again. It's refreshing, it's inspirational and it's much needed.
Submotion Orchestra's ability to work up a song into a beautiful frenzy is second to none and this is more than evident in their second album Fragments. It feels so much more accomplished and tighter than any of their previous work and Submotion Orchestra's sound is more organic than ever...a truly blissful piece of work, simply sublime compositions suitable for anything, any mood, any time, any place. From the tinkling keys of the intro, built up with layers and layers of sounds; hand claps, crashing cymbals and leading horns, Fragments ensures it grabs you straight away, slapping you in the face and giving you a much needed musical wake up call!
'Blind Spot' starts with some jangling and other subtle sounds and builds into this sub-bass that could have you shaking, were it not down-tempo. Ruby Wood's vocals enter and I'm transfixed. Whilst there's an underlying dub-step 'wobble' it is portrayed in such a tenderly, beautiful way to match Ruby's vocals, it's simply stunning.
WATCH // Submotion Orchestra - Blind Spot (Preview)
'Thinking' has me almost falling off my chair as I'm that excited about how fresh it sounds. Ruby's vocals are just gorgeous and the dub groove has me moving; it's the kind of dub I am familiar with, and love, not the commercial crap that Radio 1 pumps out all day, everyday - this is real music. There's some cheeky little conga patterns dotted about 'Thinking' and Ruby's voice is reminiscent of the late, great Aaliyah.
Chilling it out again with 'Snow', the trumpet / keys combo provided by Bobby (aka Simon Beddoe) and Taz Modi in the intro sets the mood nicely. Strings are worked in and with Ruby's dripping vocals it makes for a heartbreakingly breathtaking track.
Submotion Orchestra keep things mellow with 'Sleepwalker' but I'm initially not sold on this one, until we hit the bridge and it begins to build. There's a really nice 'baggy' sound to the snare running throughout, and actually the whole song kinda feels a little baggy and loose, not as in that it isn't tight enough, it' just feels really effortless and relaxed...'Sleepwalker's definitely a grower! 'Bird of Prey' has a really dancey intro to it, with beach like sound affects before Submotion Orchestra drop in the bass from out of nowhere, while the beat just builds up & up..
Featuring Rider Shafique, who sounds very much like Faithless' Maxi Jaxx, 'Times Strange' is a great, anthemic, dub track with thought provoking lyrics such as:
"To live or to die is not your decision, in order to rule there must be some division".You can hear the urgency rising up through 'Times Strange' and, as slow as it is to rise its gone even quicker and leaves you gasping for more.
LISTEN // Submotion Orchestra ft. Rider Shafique - Times Strange
http://soundcloud.com/submotion-orchestra/7-times-strange-ft-rider
http://soundcloud.com/submotion-orchestra/7-times-strange-ft-rider
One thing Submotion Orchestra have absolutely nailed is the ability to build layer upon layer without overworking it and risk spoiling the track. This is more than prevalent with 'Eyeline'; crashing waves of cymbal rolls paired with superb string sections and complex electronic arrangements, could be overkill....but not for this lot!
Again we have another dancey intro into 'It's Not Me, It's You' and I'm instantly taken back to my garage raving days. Effectively a break up song - but fuck the usual ballad - 'It's Not Me, It's You' is how you do it! There's also some great remixes floating around of this track, including Alix Perez' drum and bass re-working, a corker for sure!
WATCH // Submotion Orchestra - It's Not Me, It's You
'Fallen' immediately brings to mind the film The Beach. 'Thousand Year Stare' feels really sinister with it's suspended notes hanging in the air. It's a darker track for the band with a more commercial, dub-step sound - but the film of strings and horns on the surface sets it apart from the more generic dub-step sound that the dance charts have been infiltrated with.
'Coming Up for Air' it the last track on Fragments and is suitably soothing after the physical onslaught of 'Thousand Year Stare'! Almost questioning strings flirt and play with Ruby's vocals; it's a strikingly haunting track and the perfect way to close the album.
Fragments is released 24th September (digitally) / 8th October (physically) on Exceptional Blue Records and you can grab your copy here:But if you can't wait that long, you can preview it on SoundCloud:
Submotion Orchestra are touring the UK throughout October, be quick as tickets are going fast!
Tour Dates
- Sat 29th September: OPEN, NORWICH
- Wed 10th October: SUB89, READING
- Thurs 11th October: ACADEMY, BRISTOL
- Fri 12th October: KOKO LONDON
- Sat 13th October: CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON
- Sun 14th October: 02 ACADEMY, OXFORD
- Mon 15th October: BOILEROOM, GUILDFORD
- Tue 16th October: RUBY LOUNGE, MANCHESTER
- Wed 17th October: SUMO, LEICESTER
- Thur 18th October: 1:22, HUDDERSFIELD
- Fri 19th October: STUDIO 24, EDINBURGH
- Mon 22nd October: THE DUCHESS, YORK
- Tues 23rd October: TUESDAY CLUB, SHEFFIELD
- Wed 24th October: ERIC’S, LIVERPOOL
- Thur 25th October: STYLUS, LEEDS
- Fri 26th Octorber: TWISTED PEPPER, DUBLIN
![Review: Disclosure - The Singles [EP]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/altthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fhangout.altsounds.com%2Fgeek%2Fgars%2Fimages%2F1%2F4%2F7%2F2%2F1%2Fdisclosure-the-singles-artwork.jpg&h=75&w=75&zc=1&q=70)
![Review: Frank Turner - Tape Deck Heart [Album]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/altthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fhangout.altsounds.com%2Fgeek%2Fgars%2Fimages%2F3%2F4%2F5%2F6%2F3%2F2013frankturnertapedeckheart600g150113.jpg&h=75&w=75&zc=1&q=70)
