Last Days of Meaning

Nitin Sawhney is a golden god. Seriously. Currently celebrating twenty years as a recording artist, his ninth studio album certainly makes no exception.
"Last Days Of Meaning" is a fabulous nineteen-track album that takes the listener on an eclectic journey both around the world and in and out of people's lives.
In typical Nitin style, the record is not just a compilation of great music, but also a thought-provoking social commentary.
The album is interspersed with the various "reflections" of an embittered old man, (played be legendry actor John Hurt,) who is fearful of our modern world.
The album opens with "The Devil and Midnight", a fabulous soul track that sounds just like classic motown, before "Confessions From The Womb" floats into our ears with its beautifully dreamy layered vocals.
"Say You Will" is a lovely, hazy Indian number that is reminiscent, at times, of Sigur Ros.
"Projector" later gives us pretty harmonies and samples galore - both vocal and various projector sounds.
After a spot of Nepalese-sounding joy and then Indian trip-hop, we're given the pleasure of "So Long", which features a funky beat and a fabulous mix of Indian instruments, banjo, pop and gospel vocals.
These contrasting genres and musical aspects shouldn't work, but of course, Nitin makes it do so, and very well.
As we reach the last few tracks, "Taste The Air" is reminiscent of a film soundtrack.
(Nothing new for Nitin, who has already scored around fifteen films.) It is upbeat and fun, with choral, tube delayed vocals and once more, a curiously fantastic mix of musical styles - this time bringing reggae and violin to the indie-pop track.
"The Human Planet" composer has produced yet another fabulous album. F. Dunn

Philtre
Human
Prophesy

I got this in the early release where you paid up front and got the ablum in progressive sections.
So I enjoyed the emerging story of the bitter old man as he ranted and then finally, opens the door to the outside world.
I've been listening to this for a while now, and as ever I have my favourite tracks, but others that I keep on finding more bits in that I like.
So if you do get this, it's an album of songs that are also a story, so take the time, at some point to listen (OK maybe not in one go, but I've done that several times) to the whole album as a single entitity, from start to finish.

Nitin Sawhney has been releasing very interesting and varied albums for over a decade and I have become accustomed to taking it for granted that all of his recordings will live up to past expectations. For the first time in a while, I am little disappointed with his most recent effort "Last Days Of Meaning" as it has too many interludes, even though they are quite interesting as they feature John Hurt, and too many short tracks which makes this album feel scattered, torn apart and then pieced back together.

The album starts off with the Folk and Blues inspired "The Devil & Midnight" featuring deep powerful vocals from Yolanda Quartey, the lead singer from Phantom Limb. "Confessions From The Womb" is a sweet little Folk song with tender vocals from Tina Grace. "Say You Will" is a graceful and mellow Indian influenced track that plods gently along in between interludes. "I'm Done" has a lovely melody but the vocals from Hannah Peel are a little childish which ruin it for me. "Kite" lends itself to the strong Indian influences and is a powerful track with great free sounding arrangements. "Projector" is an interesting Folk track sung with passion and emotion whilst "Tender World" is another beautiful Indian track with Nicki Wells on vocals. But the highlight of the album is the second song to feature Yolanda Quartey "So Long" which has an addictive chorus filled with Soul and Gospel feelings. "Laugh" is an atmospheric track with captivating vocal arrangements and "Taste The Air" featuring Natty is a very uplifting track with a sweet chorus.

Taking away the countless interludes and dance remixes on this 26 track album, there are actually 10 full length original songs on "Last Days Of Meaning" (by that, I mean songs that top 3 minutes in length). This is my only negative critique as the individual tracks are very good and of the usual standard delivered by Nitin. Hopefully next time, the interludes and dance remixes will not feature as more focus is needed on the actual music and flavour of the album to make it more coherent.