Martyn – Ghost People – Review

Ghost People is a supersonic exercise for the senses and true testament to Martyns musical physique. Hes remarked that his debut album (Great Lengths) was very personal, rendering the latest incarnation a sound more suited to the nightlife-lifestyle. Indeed, Ghost People is nowt shy, with its heavy stabs and cosmic liveliness. This delicious body of music released on Brainfeeder on October 10^th fuses techno, garage, house and dubstep into a prosperous realm of brilliant futurity. 

That inimitable charisma weve come to expect from Martyn the breathing funk of bassline so alive its human, the sleazy synths, playful percussion do remain. The yearning for house and garage in the clubs currently is fulfilled, whilst the tracks ooze a timeless, ahead-of-its-time quality.

Stand outs, of which, Im hard pushed to select. Masks grooving techno-soul builds layers of temper and excellence, whilst the percussive militia of Popgun is overruled by the ambient interlude preceding the title track, which skips garage through house with a notably enchanting bongo breakdown. Sating the present hunger for house- garage- funk-infused electronica, Ghost People really is a genuine joy to listen to.

And truly the Ghost People came out to play by force in the discreet Hoxton warehouse that played host to the albums official London launch. Decorated with the musings of gifted artist Erosie, the urban underground lair came to life with dBridges moody, bumpy Autonomic flair and Kode9s all-vinyl garage set impeccably closing proceedings. And of the man himself? Blasting highly deadly, recent tracks like Viper and Horror Vacui alongside gems from his first long player a la Vancouver and Hear Me its safe to say the mans an insatiably innovative talent, our Martyn. 

The key to producing definitively futuristic music is a mild mystery to many, and perhaps a description given far too frivolously; its true, though, for a purveyor such as he. And the album, well, futuristic and perfectly current at once. Go. Get.

Sophie James

Martyn – ‘Ghost People’ LP Exclusive Stream by Mixmag