Contact Note

The music could perhaps best be described as "Deep Ambient/chilled Drum & Bass, with Classical piano and New Age influences, (and some very interesting sound effects), mixed into astonishingly complex, dream-like, layered soundscapes".

I would like to review the tracks individually, but since my academic background is not in music, I'm sure that these wouldn't really do the music justice. However, while all tracks are exceptional, ones that deserve special mention are "Nightjar" and "Black and red".

"Nightjar" is one of my favourite tracks. After an almost cinematic opening, it gradually builds up to a spine-chillingly beautiful piano melody that betrays Jon Hopkins' classical training (Any readers who have heard some of the works of contemporary Italian composer Ludovico Einoudi will have some idea of what I mean), all combined with soft beats and swirling sythesisers.

"Black and Red" is like nothing I have ever heard before, and could be called "experimental". Although it may not be to everyone's liking, it is another of my favourites. It starts with scratching sound effects, which decay over a deep bass rumble, building up to a minimalist, almost sinister, piano tune, with rumbling bass and distorted vocals. This merges into what can best be described as a "1950s flying saucer" sound effect, which suddenly cuts out into twinkling synthesisers followed by swirling atmospheres , gradually fading to an ethereal ambient piece.

While I have singled these two out for special mention, the rest of the album is still truly breathtaking as well. Unlike quite a lot of other modern electronic music, this album doesn't just repeat a simple tune over a fairly monotonous beat, but is more in the style of a classical piece. The music develops, builds and moves throughout the whole duration, with each layer not detracting anything from the overall sound, and working with all the others in perfect harmony.

So in summary, "Contact Note" combines unusual beats, heavenly vocals, soaring, swirling atmospheres, interesting sound effects and beautiful piano and acoustic guitar into an amazing musical journey. I for one, will be eagerly awiting more pieces from Jon Hopkins in the future.

After listening to his critically acclaimed and musically rich debut 'Opalescent', the wait began for the follow up. Though 'Opalescent' is definately worth checking out for the freshness of its sound and both impressive and evoking melodies - 'Contact Note' demonstrates a maturity and development in it's complexity which was, perhaps, the only ingredient missing in the talented Hopkins' impressive debut.

In 'Contact Note', the 'comfort' factor of 'Opalescent' is less evident and is replaced by a more challenging, yet ultimately far more rewarding record in which the progression in Hopkins' own ability is obvious. His inspired use of voices on 'Second Sense' is one such example and the quality of the production on the whole record is nothing less than remarkable. That much of the music is already being used for adverts and tv is unsuprising as each song holds its own unique sound, resonance and feel.

Bottom line: a truly brilliant record that deserves to rocket Hopkins to great success and acclaim - beautifully melodic, haunting and atmospheric - 'Contact Note' is a sublime achievement and brings with it that insatiable appetite for more. And this, with only two records to his name, is my only complaint!!!