Rating: NNNN
Orlando Higginbottom has composed an album of thoughtful dance music that doesn’t sound over-thought – despite what the name of his project suggests. Known for dressing up in glittery feathered outfits for his concerts, the young Oxford-based producer has a plaintive croon that’s much less flamboyant than his look. On this debut album, he can often be heard pleading wistfully over warm and winsome rave, techno and satisfyingly bassy house beats and hooky pop choruses to unashamedly euphoric effect.
Whereas many of his contemporaries in the dance world rely on buzz saw builds and drops to raise the temperature on the dance floor, Higginbottom prefers to switch up the mood with sudden chord changes, oddball synths and introspective emotion.
There are a few missteps – the lyrics are sometimes dull, the song Your Love indulges a little too heavily in 90s diva house clichés – but highly listenable bangers like Tapes & Money, Garden and American Dream Part II make Trouble ideal for bouncing around your bedroom or the club.
Top track: Tapes & Money
