Travis Stewart
's music moved in a futuristic pop direction throughout much of the 2010s, particularly with his production work for
Dawn Richard
and
Azealia Banks
as well as his ongoing collaboration with
Jimmy Edgar
,
JETS
. His first full-length as
Machinedrum
since 2016's
Human Energy
is less hyperkinetic or sugary than that album, but just as inventive, and ultimately a bit stronger overall. While
Stewart
's music always fuses elements of multiple genres and regional dance music scenes, drum'n'bass and hip-hop seem to be the most prominent guiding forces of the album, partially returning to the producer's roots, but still creating something new. There's also less vocal manipulation, with none of the pitch-shifted R&B samples that had been common throughout club music during the 2010s. The tracks generally contain lush, harp-like textures and spiraling melodies as well as intricate, sometimes hard-hitting beats, producing an otherworldly effect that reflects the album's theme relating to out-of-body experiences. The "U" in the album's title refers to the universe, and
relates his creative process to his meditation practices, where time seems to stop and he forgets who and where he is.
Rochelle Jordan
sings "I've been dreaming, don't wake me up" on opener "The Relic," which builds with an aggressive footwork rhythm and filthy bass before reaching a peaceful bridge filled with heavenly strings. "Kane Train" is one of
's most straightforward hip-hop productions to date, with pounding bass, knocking beats, and atmospheric details underpinning
Freddie Gibbs
' determined, effortlessly skilled raps. "Sleepy Pietro" is more experimental, with Armenian pianist
Tigran Hamasyan
providing sparkling melodies over a beat that morphs from a 4/4 house thump to more agitated drum'n'bass skittering. More beat trickery is on display during tracks like "Believe in U," a jagged hip-hop banger that manages to sneak in some hyper-speed jungle breaks and dreamy guitars. Adventurous drum'n'bass producer
Sub Focus
guests on "1000 Miles," which punctuates an icy pool of ethereal pianos and angelic vocals with deep, explosive breaks. The album concludes with "Ur2yung," a hyped-up, filter-heavy variation on golden-age beatmaking made bittersweet by its ghostly vocal sample. ~ Paul Simpson