Portraits is full of sweet, soulful jams that will have you jiving from the moment the first track starts to when the last track ends. If you enjoy the Downtempo genre this is a great addition to the collection. It is a very comfortable album, in that it is great to lounge too, but also doesn’t stray too far in order to add something new to the mix.
If you’ve listened to Bonobo before you give this album a listen you won’t be surprised, but you also will not be disappointed. The biggest surprise that Maribou State had to offer was a heavier emphasis on vocal manipulation. Pitched vocals are sprinkled over nearly every song. I’ve never enjoyed the sound of vocals with too many effects, but Maribou State makes it sounds like a natural extension of the song. They sounded pleasant, and it was an interesting layer that complimented all the other instruments.
Overall, Portraits is a great contribution to a solid genre. It has a good sense of soul and maintains a smooth vibe while having an emphasis on beats. I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
Recommended If You Like: Tycho, Bonobo, Emancipator, James Blake
Recommended Tracks: 4 (Steal), 8 (Midas), 5 (Wallflower), 1(Home), 3 (Rituals)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Shane Blair on 06/25/2015