There is no doubt that Bonobo is one of the kings of downtempo. For years he has been awing his fans with exquisitely beautiful and colorful trip-hop. Today he released his new album, The North Borders. It is everything we have come to expect and more. Calming beats with punchy and throbbing bass, plucking guitars and soft vocals make The North Borders one of the best downtempo albums to be released in a while.
The production of the album is nothing short of genius, the mixing is brilliant and the tracks are perfectly placed. In my opinion a downtempo album should take you on a journey through the musical mind that created it. That is exactly the case with The North Borders and you can tell the track placement was well thought out. If you value music, The North Borders simply cannot be missed. It is a true musical masterpiece that deserves to be appreciated. 
Jets – Bonobo
[audio https://www.youredm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/06-Jets.mp3]Ten Tigers – Bonobo
[audio https://www.youredm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/11-Ten-Tigers.mp3]Pieces – Bonobo ft. Cornelia
[audio https://www.youredm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/13-Pieces-Ft.-Cornelia.mp3]You can buy The North Borders on iTunes HERE.
As much as there is nothing wrong with your article and I mean no insult, please refrain from reviewing Bonobo albums. You review Avicii songs for goodness sake’s. EDM licks massive balls, Bonobo doesn’t. The end.
No insult taken. I understand what you are saying. However, I am going to continue to review awesome music when it gets released :). Maybe we should just post more downtempo stuff? Regardless, thanks for reading!
Indeed. I feel like downtempo/whatever one may wish to call Bonobo is a style that Americans could open their ears to and enjoy, much like when the first wave of “EDM” that came from Europe. To be honest, what I genuinely dislike about this whole EDM phenomenon is not so much the music as it is the culture it has developed. By that I mean you could ask a number of Steve Aoki-worshipping-college-kids who Kerri Chandler is, and they would look at you blank-faced. It’s not about the music, it’s about who comes up with biggest drops, headlines the biggest festivals, and gives the biggest excuse to take whatever you guys call it in America, molly. Shit’s been going on for 30 years in Europe yet no one covers each other in glow-in-the-dark paint and sucks on pacifiers. What I’m trying to say is, a push in downtempo (etc..) exposure to the American public would be great…. but would that create yet another wave of American-style, sold-out arena shows with 34 DJ’s headlining them, and furthermore… a new horrible musical genre stemming from cookie cutting existing downtempo beats?
I guess I’m just venting! I literally came across your website yesterday and had a light readthrough. Some good stuff; just open the genres up!
Also I’m a journalism student living in London, let me know if you’d like exactly that: downtempo/underground/whatever contributor.
everyones an expert now.
Bryon
http://www.deephouselounge.com
Not really a proper review either is it, just a few well-placed adjectives. Nm.
I completely understand what you are saying. Americans in particular have a habit of taking something that breaks into pop culture and manipulating it into something it should not be. We tend to take a music style that we “love” (if you would call it loving) and push it and manipulate it beyond recognition.
I know that we have a bad reputation in the dance music world but don’t let a few obnoxious commercial house fans represent all of us. There are people here that really do appreciate musical brilliance, they just don’t go out of their way to voice their love for it. Don’t let a few idiots speak for the rest of us :).
You made some interesting points and If you want to continue this conversation you are more than welcome to email me at [email protected]. I really do appreciate what you have to say, and thank you.
Great album, love your collectiveness in the comments sections. Keep the reviews coming.
Thanks! Much appreciated!