Album Review: Leon Vynehall - Nothing Is Still

It's always thrilling when an artist's work begins to transcend their niche.

Leon Vynehall's been teetering on the brink of that transition for a little while; his interest in bird song and field recordings establishing him as something different from the typical house genre proponents. With the debut album Nothing Is Still, he should well and truly launch himself into the popular consciousness.

It's a breathtakingly pretty album. Many will attribute this to Vynehall's decision to work with a string ensemble for the majority of the album. It certainly doesn't hurt, but beauty can be found in every facet of this record. The shimmering hi-hats and warm, surging synths of opener From The Sea/It Looms (Chapters I & II) are just as gorgeous as the strings that swirl around them.

Undoubtedly, the album will have its fair share of detractors. It sports the kind of open, welcoming prettiness that typically sees a backlash from certain sectors of the dance music community. But, it's far from new-age schmaltz. There's detail and intelligence sparkling throughout the productions. If this album elevates Vynehall to the recognition of a name like Jon Hopkins, it'll be a well-deserved promotion.