James,Loraine - Reflection (Sealed) (CD)

Made during summer 2020, Loraine James' second Hyperdub album, `Reflection', is a turbulent expression of inner-space, laid out in unflinching honesty, offering gentle empathy and bitter-sweet hope. `Reflection' further develops a unique pop sensibility realised on last year's `Nothing EP', while tones of Drill and R&B seep through into this collection too. In contrast to the brash splashes of 2019's `For You And I' LP and the grimey anger of `Nothing', `Reflection' is pared-down and confident, taking the listener through how last year felt as a young black queer woman in a world that has suddenly stopped moving, the arc of the album peppered with Loraine's diaristic confessions. Starting positively with the gentle pop-trap of `Built To Last' ft Xzavier Stone, into the bumpy instrumental of `Let's Go', the album switches tone with `Simple Stuff', followed by regular collaborator Le3 bLACK amplifying Loraine's vulnerability on the downcast drill of `Black Ting', then `Insecure Behaviour And Fuckery' is a techno glide which pairs Nova's confrontational plea for respect, delivered in monotone autotune, against deep Drexciyan chords. With Baths on vocals, the weightlessness of `On The Lake Outside' soothes numb feelings, and Eden Samara explores the shadow world of anxious dreams on the airy R&B of `Running Like That'. Closing track `We're Building Something New' with Manchester rapper Iceboy Violet brings the album together, confidently suggesting a new world is in reach. `Reflection' is a brave step forward for a unique and creative 21st century musician.