In the “Intro” to “Settle,” a distorted voice poses the questions, “How do you stay motivated in the midst of everything that’s going on? And how do you get in the zone?” Right off the bat, Disclosure wastes no time in answering these question with pulsing rhythms and swirling tones that will make you want to bob your head like a 1990s SNL-era Jim Carrey. Drawing from its stellar production, the debut album from Britain’s Disclosure is an impeccably crafted piece of dance-pop in a subgenre riddled with kitsch and repetition.
Featuring a litany of prominent UK musicians ranging from Jessie Ware to Jamie Woon, brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence (aged 21 and 18 years respectively) show a keen propensity for well-constructed collaborations despite their young age. Instead of coming off as contrived, the features on “Settle” add variety by playing upon the talents of their respective artists. This facet of the album became apparent even before the official release, with the release of its first two singles “Latch” and “White Noise.” “Latch,” featuring singer/songwriter Sam Smith, plays on a strong vocal performance to turn a relatively standard house beat into an irresistibly catchy atmospheric dance track. Similarly, “White Noise,” featuring AlunaGeorge, another rising UK duo, utilizes Aluna Francis’ glossy pop vocals to create a track that quickly ascended to the top of the UK charts. The closing track, “Help Me Lose My Mind,” featuring London Grammar, borrows the atmospheric ambiance of “Latch,” in what proves to be one of the more mellow tracks from the effort. Its chilled-out vibe provides a sublime finish to a superb album, allowing the listener to blissfully drift off in the drawn-out, spacey synth tones.
To say that Disclosure creates superb collaborations is not to imply, however, that the group is lacking in any way by itself. A standout (although it is difficult to justify the usage of the term “standout” on an effort of such overall quality) amongst the tracks produced solely by the duo is, “When a Fire Starts to Burn.” Sampling the same distorted sermon used in the “Intro,” the track propels itself into a pulsating groove with its smattering high-hats and grooving base. Put quite simply, the track bangs.
Despite its base in UK garage, “Settle” is above all a pop effort. In this way, it presents a somewhat rare an opportunity to bridge the gap between those of us who appreciate music and those of who still listen to “Levels.” Disclosure is not only “in the zone,” but standing out “in the midst of everything” with a debut that can easily be considered one of the best efforts of 2013.
99-cent download: Do yourself a favor and download the whole thing
Sounds Best When: Groovin’
Grade: A
