Darkstar - North (2010) [Hyperdub] // Grade: A

2010’s been a year for the Hyperdub, with slamming released from Ikonika, LA hero Samiyam, and the immensely versatile Kode9, Darkstar are the latest to be released on the legendary label with their debut album North. Formerly a two-piece, the London based dubsteppers opted to bring in a third member to sing on their album, taking them in a different musical direction. Losing the bass driven dubstep, Darkstar take us North, on a journey through melodic synth-pop. Penultimate track “Dear Heartbeat” is a beautiful track of catchy piano licks, and in my mind, an underrated album highlight.

When I first heard Darkstar eighteen months ago, my impression was that there were a score of artists in the dubstep genre who were producing a similar sound to them, the thought of them changing direction so vehemently didn’t seem possible. This record however, sees an incredible digression from their initial sound, pursuing a lighter and more melodic direction, not dissimilar from Kieran Hebden during Four Tet’s Everything’s Ecstatic phase. Big single “Aidy’s Girl Is a Computer” remains the standout on the record, with glitchy vocal stabs over upbeat looping, the track will lodge in your memory bank, and haunt you when you least expect. By contrast, the soothing vocals of “Gold” show an authentic beauty and delicacy that was previously absent from the Darkstar sound.

Whether we call it a musical digression, or simply an act finding their own unique sound, Darkstar have produced a solid debut, that grows on you with each play. I highly recommend it.

- SweetFA