Review

The debut album from Hudson Mohawke – aka Glaswegian whizzkid Ross Birchard – comes burdened with the weight of expectancy. Ever since he caused a minor sensation with 2008’s Ooops! 12” EP and followed it up with the equally acclaimed Polyfolk Dance EP earlier this year, the clamour for his first full-length has gradually reached something approaching fever pitch. But if Birchard felt any pressure, he hasn’t let it show – the impressive Butter lives up to expectations, and then some.

Exhibiting a sense of exuberance and playfulness that pervades the entire record, opener ‘Shower Melody’ manages to cram the most thunderous beats this side of Endtroducing, as well as an amusingly over-the-top, squealing guitar solo, into its 90 seconds. Straightaway, immense second track ‘Gluetooth’ lurches into earshot, riding on the back of a monstrous bass riff. Thrilling in its execution, it provides a neat summation of the Hudson Mohawke modus operandi: frantic, pummeling beats, dizzying synth whirls and an ear for an insidious melody, incorporating elements of soul, funk, old-skool rave and hip-hop.

Any fears that Birchard would have difficulty maintaining the same standard over the course of an album are swiftly dispelled by ‘Joy Fantastic’, one of two songs to feature the vocals of Olivier Daysoul, a strutting slice of futuristic funk based around a staccato beat that wouldn’t sound out of place on a prime-period Prince record. From then on the highlights come thick and fast: ‘Zoo00OOm’ marries spiralling 8-bit synth melodies to an ominous bass pulse and yet more truly bone-shaking beats; the skittery ‘Allhot’, featuring the breathy vocals of Nadsroic, is seductive and otherworldly; while the loping rhythm and dizzying riff of the awesome ‘FUSE’ are simply irresistible.

Plenty to savour, then, but if there’s one criticism that could be levelled at Butter it’s that it’s quite an exhausting experience. Its 51 minutes contain barely a moment’s respite from Birchard’s hyperactive, scattergun approach, which can make for a head-spinning listen over the course of an entire album. Closer ‘Black N Red’, for example, is all over the shop, ending the record on a disappointingly queasy note. By contrast, it’s telling that one of the few moments of relative calm, the beatless ‘Star Crackout’ is also an album highlight.

So, not a record for the morning after. Instead, this might just be the ultimate Saturday night album, a Technicolor riot of sound that more than anything else is just downright great fun: you could stop to admire the technical accomplishment, sure, but the chances are you’ll be too busy throwing some serious shapes. A startling declaration of intent, Butter manages to sound fresh and original while also being, for the most part, a massively enjoyable listen. Good enough to eat. Neill Dougan

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DOWNLOAD: ‘GLUETOOTH’, ‘Zoo00OOm’, ‘FUSE’, ‘STAR CRACKOUT’.
FOR FANS OF: FLYING LOTUS, J DILLA.

Posted on: 27th January 2010

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