Review - Jon Hopkins, Opalescent


Well, first the categorisation. You will find no buzzing pulsing synthesisers and sequencers here. Neither does it feature large amounts of found sounds, or environmental effects.

What you will find is a set of gloriously melodic listenable instrumental pieces, that flow smoothly from one to the next to form a coherent whole. Despite the dozen tracks listed, it does feel like one long piece.

Keyboards are used with subtlety, and some sections feature some outstandingly resonant clear and simple guitar lines. (Those of you who wince when Edgar Froese reaches for his guitar need not worry! Its all in the best possible taste!)

Accessible and tuneful, though it is not at all like ambient or electronica, I think many who like those forms of music will find much to enjoy here. It is difficult to find comparisons, though some parts, particularly those where guitars are to the fore, remind me quite strongly of Eno's 'Apollo Atmospheres'.

An astonishing debut.

Overall: 9/10.


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