The influence of Modal Split must be working its magic here because there is something lighter and more spacious about Departure. If Luke Tangerine‘s creative urges often take him in a more high-energy, busy and beat-driven direction, when coupled up with Modal Split, as he is here, there is an exciting restraint at work.
Not that I’m saying that there is anything wrong with such urges; it is, after all, the element that the dancefloor culture and its music are made of, but it is always great to see such collaborations bring a different side out of an artist. And that is what is happening here.
The great thing about Departure, one of the many, is that it takes its time building towards its final destination, slowly adding beat and sonic weight, tone and texture, occasionally dropping back into understated realms so that it can create the required dynamic lull from which to jump back into the musical fray in an exciting and impactful way.
It is the stuff of pop as much as of dance, something that could find its way into the more conventional charts as easily in more dance-minded ones. But wherever it finds its generic home, Departure is a fabulous mix of space and groove, shimmering vocals and beatific beats, sonic splendour and satisfying musical experiences.
If a classic movie once told us that there can be only one, Departure reminds us that sometimes two is the answer.
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[…] they make and stay very much in their sonic self-assigned lane. Which is why I admire artists like Luke Tangerine and their willingness to follow their musical urges down all sorts of untrodden sonic alleys and […]
[…] the euphoric and upbeat vibe that runs through Modal Split‘s music, there is also a slight whiff of melancholy and pathos at its heart. It is just such […]