Zero 7
Yeah Ghost - Atlantic
FILTER Grade: 80 %

After nearly a decade churning out a steady supply of tasteful ambient soundscapes, the duo of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker is clearly looking to regroup with its fourth album. It’s no coincidence that the first single from the deans of down tempo is titled “Everything Up”—there’s a palpable vibrancy to Yeah Ghost that may surprise rock-lovers who dismiss the group’s tunes as breathy lounge music. Where past records often meandered aimlessly around atmospheric piano riffs, the newest compositions ebb and flow with purpose, structure and formidable melodies. The rotating cast of singers includes the smoky-voiced Eska Mtungwazi, who friskily scats her way through soul-tinged tunes, like “Medicine Man” and “Mr. McGee.” The album even dabbles with twitchy vocals and jittery drum machines a la Thom Yorke (“Ghost sYMbOL”). Besides a couple of limp late-album tag-ons, it appears that, for once, the kings of chill-out have gotten downright animated.