Even when Energy takes a ruminative turn towards the end, there's not an ounce of fat.
Motivational, sky-reaching anthems that don’t overthink the euphoria at hand.
This eclectic project reflects on the wide-range of sounds incorporated into the brothers' music over the past ten years and acts as a bold statement of their musicality.
Whilst previous work has had a tendency to recycle genres and styles, 'ENERGY' sees the duo step out of their comfort zone, engaging with an array of previously unexplored artists, genres and themes.
Their shortest album yet, ‘ENERGY’ is a rough-and-ready bender that evokes their house and garage-revival beginnings while sprinkling in some new flavours.
Disclosure have always had an attention to detail in their production that gives the songs that much more depth ... And in this respect, as well as songwriting, structure and guest selection, they’re back like they never left.
ENERGY most certainly has more highlights than it does disappointing moments, and it marks a change in sound that the couple are moving towards – albeit slowly.
With Energy, Disclosure continue the refined, radio-friendly takes on house, U.K. garage, and more that made them stars, but find plenty of room to expand into new territory.
The Lawrence brothers’ third album of glossy yet gritty disco pop suggests that their true lineage is the Y2K chart-house sound once ubiquitous on UK airwaves.
Occasionally, you yearn for Disclosure to take a rasp to Energy and roughen the edges, but their knack for canny hooks guarantees they won't be retiring back to Surrey any time soon.
It may not exude that much actual energy, but there’s a chunk of worthwhile fare on board.
For now ... Disclosure seem largely content to stick to their lane. It should keep their career ticking over commercially until normal clubland service is resumed, and their lyrics seem less wistful.
Energy has a handful of career highlights, though a thrown-together quality as well.
Disclosure works best when the duo taps into its inherent feel for the underground dancefloor and has its collaborators follow its lead, which it does on the majority of ENERGY.
It’s a solid set of tracks, but five years since their last release, it’s less of a blazing return and more of a practiced workout.
The Lawrence brothers stay true to four-on-the-floor dance beats, still within their usual deep house, two-step and garage roots. There are few surprises, and no superb hooks a la Jimmy Napier either.
Energy is something of a misfire for Disclosure, it is an album that opts to play things safe and the consequence is an unremarkable album that feels at once overthought and simultaneously underdeveloped.
Energy might have been made with vigor, but is a few steps short of possessing any real staying power.
#29 | / | Double J |
#31 | / | The Young Folks |
#39 | / | Slant Magazine |
#45 | / | Far Out Magazine |
#50 | / | MondoSonoro |
#70 | / | Idolator |
#100 | / | Albumism |