When Darkstar emerged in 2010 with their debut album North on Hyperdub, they were placed firmly within the burgeoning post-dubstep scene, not far from James Blake and the like. Fast-forward to 2013 and links to dubstep of any sort are gone, with the two-step rhythm found on North standout track ‘Aidy’s Girls’ A Computer’ totally absent onNews From Nowhere; the album is more suited to a rainy night in than to any club that wants to encourage dancing or good cheer.
That being said, Darkstar manage to do contemplative melancholy superbly, developing a more organic sound fromNorth, this being obtained presumably from the higher production values of the Warp stable, or from the use of real instruments. Maintained on News From Nowhere are the effect-soaked vocals, ambient sweeps, ostinatos and general ethereal aura that makes the whole album seem distant, as though coated in fog: “lie on my own, rise and shine on my own, I’m just fine on my…don’t complain”. This stark individualism is testament to their desire to do it their way, and the move to more conventional song structures this time round could propel them to wider recognition.
Although News From Nowhere is undoubtedly evocative and well executed, the frailty of it all can get a bit wearing and repetitive, while the more ambient of songs seem to lack any real direction, making enjoyable engagement over the course of the album difficult.

6/10

Label: Warp Records

Words: Adam Chester