Disclosure’s debut album struck chart gold by fusing the melancholic after-hours soul of late 90s deep house with the rubbery bass lines and exaggerated swing of early 00s 2-step, mixed into a hazy gloss of contemporary R&B. On the UK duo’s second record, they’ve refined that formula so that every track sounds like a potential hit.
Big-name guests provide vocals again, including the Weeknd, Sam Smith, Miguel and Lorde (see below). No matter who’s holding the mic, though, each song sounds distinctly like Disclosure. It’s a sound that stood out when they first hit the scene, but it no longer has quite the same effect due to their legions of imitators.
Caracal is consistently good but also feels manicured and safe. Taking a few more chances and resisting the urge to polish everything so much could have made for a much more exciting record.
Top track: Holding On, featuring Gregory Porter
Disclosure play the Direct Energy Centre October 17.
