Since forming in 2005, British group
Vessels have gradually shifted from making synth-friendly post-rock to highly emotive electronic dance music. The 2015 full-length Dilate was a near-perfect fusion of climactic guitar crescendos and glistening, pulsating electronics, and
Vessels' subsequent singles and remixes have further explored their dancefloor-minded side without sacrificing the drive and songcraft of their rock roots.
The Great Distraction mainly consists of euphoric tracks that border on tech-house or progressive house, with guitars masked or altered, if they appear at all. Tracks like the monumental opener, "Mobilise," seem to feature guitars subtly looped, but not playing heavy riffs or smothering everything with feedback as on the group's earlier releases. Live drums do work in tandem with programmed beats, however, and shuffling cymbals keep the pace throughout. Bringing to mind producers like
Jon Hopkins and
Max Cooper, the group utilizes vibrating (but not quite wobbly) bass tones and intricately detailed (but not quite glitchy) arrangements, generally building up to ecstatic peaks. Vocals appear on many tracks in the form of cut-up samples, most effectively on the thrilling "Radiart," but a few songs feature guest vocalists.
The Flaming Lips assist on the somewhat sugary "Deflect the Light," where
Wayne Coyne relays a childhood lesson he learned about the mortality of living creatures. The best and most surprising vocal-driven song on the album is "Deeper in the Sky," a starry electro-pop tune featuring Katie Harkin of
Sky Larkin.
John Grant and
Django Django's Vincent Neff also guest on the album's other pop-minded cuts.
The Great Distraction is grand and ambitious, constantly ascending toward heavenly, floating light. [
The Great Distraction was also released on LP.] ~ Paul Simpson