Bonobo is a British producer and DJ based in Los Angeles. His 6th full length effort “Migration” was released January 13, 2017 and continues his laid back, atmospheric sound.

I was quite satisfied by this album even though it really isn’t anything that special. The good thing about music produced without words is that the only thing that matters is the sound of the music itself. Though this is an electronic dance music album, you will probably enjoy “Migration” even if you hate EDM for some odd reason.  The album has a high degree of accessibility, meaning I would consider it as a good introduction to electronic music.

The production is empty, suppressed, and minimalist, resulting in a dark, relaxed aesthetic. The introduction track “Migration” can be thought of a representation of a sonic sunset, as this lofty, uplifting score gives way to the nighttime-esque vibe of the rest of the album. Bonobo delves into the genres of deep house, downtempo, and ambient, so don’t expect the fast-paced build-ups transitioning into huge, bass-heavy drops characteristic of most modern EDM.

Sadly, this reserved appeal does result in the album feeling campy and repetitive at times, as a result of the lack of experimentation.  Although this criticism is commonplace for most computer-rendered music, I do like when I am surprised by works like these.

Overall, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed listening to “Migration.” It is creative, beautiful, and quite a departure from most electronic music I hear today. If you want some quality study or relaxation music, I highly recommend checking out this album.

Favorite songs: Second Sun, 7th Sevens, No Reason

Score: 8/10