MUSIC REVIEW - Electronic Earth

Artist: Labrinth
Genre: R'n'B
Release Year: 2012
Label: Syco Music

Labrinth's been hovering around the edge of my interest radar for a little while now, but I hadn't plucked up the courage to risk my money on an R&B album until a few days ago. And I'm very glad I did.

Electronic Earth is a fusion masterpiece of computer and acoustic, not fighting each other but literally co-existing and complimenting each other. The album opens with the uplifting Climb On Board. It's a perfect opener for this album and sets the tone just right. And it has almost jazz-like chords in the bridge! Which works! Even though it's R&B!

Then we get the anthem Earthquake, a stonking great plate of bass and mash potato that brings the house down. Lab loses the acoustic side a bit here, but I'm willing to let him off though, just this once. However, I don't like Tinie Tempah's bit in this song. It doesn't really fit and stands out like a lion in an aquarium.

Last Time  has a slight retro feel to it, and reminds me of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds. Treatment is a nice change as Lab turns his attention to rock and drops some of the synth sound on his voice. But the next big treat is Express Yourself, a childish mix of white noise and doo-waps which holds as much fun as a fan full of bubble-mix.

The other highlight of the album is Beneath Your Beautiful. This is as acoustic as the album goes and features a guest appearance from Emeli Sandé, who as always is sounding great.

Even though this isn't really part of the album, just thought I'd say that Lab's music videos are awesome! They feature some incredibly immature views of the world, and I mean that in a good way. They are really feel-good, and are just really entertaining. Want an example? If you haven't seen it, check out the video for Express Yourself.

Overall, very impressive. A very promising debut.

8/10

To buy Labrinth's Electronic Earth from amazon, click here.

What do you guys think of the album? Let us know in the comments. Kieron's got a round-up of all the TV news tomorrow, and I'm back on Thursday with a movie wrap-up and a review of last year's Limitless starring Bradley Cooper.
Tom :)