Fragments

‘Fragments’ is a huge event, destined to be one of the crossover electronic albums of the year, and Bonobo’s masterpiece. The album features collaborations with Jamila Woods, Kadhja Bonet, Jordan Rakei, O’Flynn, Joji and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. While there is sorrow and introspection here, there is just as much a sense of release, of going with the flow and freedom. It’s about the dancefloor in many ways – but the positivity isn’t just in the uptempo rhythms: even the most introspective and melancholic pieces have joy in them. ‘Fragments’ has been one of the most emotionally intense records yet to create for Bonobo aka Simon Green, and it shows. Its electronic sounds are more powerfully hypnotic, the beauty of acoustic instruments is more exquisitely realised, the two are interwoven more totally – and the songs are unforgettable.