A new Chemical Brothers album. Not news to stir the emotions is it? Five years since their last decent track (Galvanize, if you were wondering) and much further back since their last full length really hit the spot; you could be forgiven for immediately writing Further off without a second thought. Stick with it though and Tom and Ed’s seventh studio album reveals a partial return to form. Gone are the odd guest vocalists that plagued the last few records, and back is the expansive and ever-so-slightly psychedelic twisting electronica that we all fell in love with, ooh fifteen years ago. This is no mere big beat revival though, Further contains some of the most experimental tracks the duo have produced outside their Electronic Battle Weapons series.To continue the experimental theme, the album comes with an accompanying disc of visuals too – a dose of the famed Chemicals live experience in your living room.
Why only a partial return to form? Some of the tracks lack the propulsion to get them over the finishing line. Escape Velocity struggles to live up to its name, and its nigh-on 12 minute length; accelerating but ultimately remaining Earthbound. When they do re-tread old ground it’s pretty decent, Horse Power feels as if lifted straight from Surrender, piling on snatches of sound that recall previous singles in abundance. It’s with Horse Power that Further really starts to come alive, leading into a great run of tracks to close the record out. Recent single Swoon is the album standout, shifting and stretching layers of synths set to a bouncing bassline – reminiscent of Orbital’s halcyon days. Although you’d struggle to pin another single out of the remaining tracks there’s no filler here. So, shake off your apathy and giver Further a whirl – there’s life in the old dog yet.
Rating: 
