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Dark Matter
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Dark Matter Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the British jazz artist features guest appearances from Poppy Ajudha, Joe Armon-Jones, Obongjayar, and Nonku Phiri.
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Top Track

Lost Without You
Even if I knew which way the wind was blowing Even if I knew this road would lead me home Even if I knew for once where I was going I'm lost out here... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. musicOMH.com
    Dec 7, 2020
    90
    It’s a bold, contemporary sounding record that is also aware of its broader lineage, something encapsulated by opening track Stranger Than Fiction.
  2. Mojo
    Feb 12, 2020
    80
    Masterful vocal mash-ups with London songstress Poppy Ajudha, South African electronic upsetter Nonku Phiri and a wonderfully gravelly Obongjayar help propel this testament to Boyd's illimitable outlook far into the stratosphere. [Mar 2020, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 12, 2020
    80
    The result is an album designed for the feet as much as the head. [Mar 2020, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Wire
    Feb 12, 2020
    80
    More passionate and sophisticated than much of what passes for musical eclecticism these days, Dark Matter is a fusion of old and new, acoustic and electronic. [Feb 2020, p.42]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 18, 2020
    80
    Whilst jazz and dance are at the forefront of this album’s heart, you can trace a multitude of other genres under its surface, from grime to rock and funk to pop. It’s an ambitious work full of scope, where Boyd continues to innovate and impress.
  6. AllMusic
    Mar 13, 2020
    80
    Dark Matter cements him as one of the most exciting jazz musicians of his generation.
  7. Exclaim
    Feb 13, 2020
    70
    As the artist has noted himself, Boyd has finally stepped out of his label as a jazz musician to embrace himself as a producer who also plays jazz.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Lajaleaa
    Mar 30, 2020
    8
    ( 84/100 )

    Será complicado hablar brevemente de este grandioso álbum. Moses Boyd, de England, un multi-instrumentalista que se enfoca en el    ( 84/100 )

    Será complicado hablar brevemente de este grandioso álbum. Moses Boyd, de England, un multi-instrumentalista que se enfoca en el Jazz no le falla al género, por lo tanto, lo mínimo que se puede esperar de un álbum de Jazz se puede encontrar en "Dark Matter": energía instrumental fluida, un concepto de espacio y extensión, un discurso por instrumento, una conversación por canción, una percusión líder, una fusión de géneros, como si fuera poco, la muy agradecida intromisión de voces muy bien seleccionadas que darán voz a la narrativa musical que el genial Moses Boyd planeó para este espectáculo; y la presencia de Joe Armon-Jones es simplemente exquisita. Quiero reafirmar que éste es uno de los mejores álbumes de Jazz qué he escuchado, después de mi favorito "Heaven And Earth" (2018) de Kamasi Washington, y que vale toda la pena descubrirlo.
    -
    It will be difficult to be brief about this great album. Moses Boyd, of England, a multi-instrumentalist that focuses in Jazz won't fail the genera, therefore, the least expected in a Jazz album can be found in "Dark Matter": fluid instrumental energy, space and extension concept, a speech for each instrument, a conversation for each track, a leader percussion, a fusion of genres, on top of that, a the very welcome selection of voices that will give a voice to the musical narrative that the awesome Moses Boyd planed for this show; and the presence of Joe Armon-Jones is exquisite. I want to stipulate that this is one of the best Jazz albums that I have heard, after my favorite "Heaven And Earth" (2018) of Kamasi Washington, and it's all worth to be discovered.    … Expand
  2. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 11, 2022
    8
    "Dark Matter" is the genre-bending and refreshing debut from talented London drummer and producer Moses Boyd. It is described as jazz, but it"Dark Matter" is the genre-bending and refreshing debut from talented London drummer and producer Moses Boyd. It is described as jazz, but it is so much more than that. With elements of electronica, dance, grime and reggae.

    Boyd brings drums and jazz into the modern age and puts a smile on everyone's face with his timeless, diverse sounds. The vocal support of Poppy Ajudha, Obongjayar and Nonku Phiri fits very well with Boyd's energetic, free and jazzy production.

    My favorites:
    "2 Far Gone"
    "Stranger Than Fiction"
    "Shades of You"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 11, 2022    … Expand

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