The eighth album from British trip-hop sensations Morcheeba, Head Up High, is the second release since Skye Edwards returned her sexy, sultry pipes to the band. Though the outfit is most known for their electro pop work in the mid to late ’90s, they still did some very interesting work following Edwards’ departure in the early 2000s. However, the chemistry Edwards has always brought the equation is back and stronger than ever here, as Morcheeba tweaks their signature sound in all the right ways.
Opening track “Gimme Your Love” is a soulful, fun song that opens its arms to scratching and looping. Following that is the energetic and mature “Face Of Danger” where Jurassic 5 alumni Chali 2na lends vocals. From there things get a little bluesy and R&B flavored with the James Petralli (White Denim) dominated “Call It Love,” and elsewhere the band gets really ambitious and turn toward reggae with the disc highlight “Make Believer.”
Later in the disc “Hypnotized” brings back more blues guitars matched with synth, and Jordan Stephens contributes some rhymes on the subtly jazzy “To Be.” Naturally, the trio is at their best when they stick with their roots, and “Do You Good” reminds us all why Morcheeba’s ultra-hip electro rock has sold millions of copies to date. Somewhat surprisingly, the disc ends on the almost country-ish sounds of “Finally Found You.”
The massive amount of influences here keep things intriguing from the get go. Funk, rock, electronic beats, rap and jazz are just some of the ideas fleshed out here with a handful of celebrity guests, including Nature Boy, Rizzle Kicks and Ana Tijoux in addition to the previously mentioned stars. If you’ve only been lukewarm on what Morcheeba has been up to lately, this will surely make you a born again fan.
