Portishead - "Dummy" (1994)

Portishead's debut album, Dummy, is the record which broke trip hop into the mainstream, winning the Mercury Prize in 1995. I've been really enjoying having it on when I've been working or just chilling out to in the evenings. The band incorporate elements of film noire aesthetics to the standard trip hop fusion of break beats, electronica and jazz to create a smokey and introspective atmosphere unique from many other trip hop acts of the time.

The incredibly low bass and roughly produced drum beats give off a slightly industrial vibe across the record, like some heavy machinery working quietly in the night. Ominous and spooky synths layer on top smothering the mix like a thick fog, with Beth Gibbons' vocals gliding on top with plenty of  breathing room. Her lyrics detail isolation, longing, desire and self reflection.

Despite maintaining a consistent aesthetic across the 11 tracks, each one has unique flourishes which maintains my engagement. Mysterons opens the album with some spooky synths which rise and fall, creating a kind of alien vibe. Sour Times has a low-fi beat with a smooth guitar and bass, while Gibbons' sings the hook "Nobody loves me, it's true, not like you". The film noire feel really comes across in this track, I just get the sense of some dark seedy club. Numb and Wandering Star have the hip hop style scratches which give the tracks a sense of 'bounce'. The beat doesn't come in right away in It's A Fire, leaving Gibbons' vocals alone with organ sounding synths. The chord progression they follow gives a quietly triumphant sound to the song. Roads benefits from an even slower pace than usual trip hop and a simpler mix, allowing Gibbons' incredibly sad vocals to shine through over the vibrato affected chords and guitar. A sax sample breaks out half way through Pedestal, and Strangers has a lot of funky guitar and horns in the mix. The closer, Glory Box is louder than the other tracks with this screeching guitar over the top of the groovy sample of Isaac Hayes' Ike's Rap II. The track even ends with a big drop and breakdown before fading out.

This album is incredibly low key, but that's the point. It has a great late-night atmosphere to wind down and chill out to. It easily works in the background, however has a lot of subtleties which provide an engaging experience when you pay attention to it. The film noire vibe really comes across in the music, giving it a dark and moody edge that some might not like, but I think really adds to the engagement I have with the record.

Top Tracks: Mysterions, Sour Times, Strangers, It Could Be Sweet, It's A Fire, Numb, Roads, Pedestal, Glory Box

9/10