The seventh album from dance pioneers The Chemical Brothers, Further forgoes the vocal collaborations of the past. The spotlight is entirely on the instrumentals, and the effect is mind-blowing. The Chemical Brothers' Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons popularised big beat in the 1990s. The pair have always done things their own way - there are no head-bangers or auto-tuned forgettables, so the music is uniquely personal. Second track Escape Velocity is an absolute masterpiece in build-up and climax. The epic 12-minute track kicks off at an inviting pace, just on the verge of breaking into a euphoric beat. The layering of old-school synths creates a disorientating yet unified sound, giving it a vibe that's tough to find in today's pop-saturated market. Thanks to subtle variations in their songs, the band avoids boring their audience: Another World, for example, has a much more romantic quality to its melody. With sampling and loops on overload, it's impossible not to bob your head in time. Further succeeds exquisitely in reviving the intense sound the Brothers became famous for. Pick up this album if you're a fan of electronic music and want to try something unique; but first-time listeners might find the lack of lyrics frustrating.
