Album Review: Example - The Evolution Of Man

The UK music rags have dubbed his music “bosh pop” yet judging by his success it probably doesn't matter how the hell Elliot Gleave (Example)'s music is described as long as he's making coinage. So the sometimes aloof UK singer/rapper Example is back with his fourth album, which sees the well-'ard London boy in reflective mode as he poses questions that only he can answer. Nice.

If Playing In The Shadows, his third album, was euphoric and stirring, The Evolution Of Man is melancholic and has more in common with the floppy-haired Seattle grunge scene and early-'90s stadium rock than what electro mushrooms are after. The electro-pop stuff that proved oh-so-popular on previous Example albums is replaced by unwelcoming guitar riffs, with Gleave rapping and singing over the top. No theme is off the shelf – drugs, shagging, infidelity, Asperger's and modern living are topics raised, with references to Nixon and misquotes of Shakespeare also blatant.

The album is replete with guitar riffs, electro stabs, beats, bops, bass and a bit of Balearic – it has more of an assortment than a box of Celebrations. Still, some trademarks of his electro prowess remain: listen to his collaboration with Calvin Harris on We'll Be Coming Back for an insight into Gleave as his best.

If the partnership between electro and rap music is ending and tracks like Say Nothing, Come Taste The Rainbow and Queen Of Your Dreams represent the future, then God help us. Gleave hasn't really evolved; he's taken a sideways step until he contemplates what he wants to do next and why.