Album Review: Martyn – Ghost People (2011) Brainfeeder

Well-revered veteran of bass music Martyn returns with his eagerly awaited sophomore album “Ghost People” proving that chart friendly Dutch House is not the only music coming across the North Sea from Holland right now. After opting to see Martyn instead of Skream at Outlook Festival earlier this year, he became one of my highlights from the festival season, with a set which showcased a number of new tracks featured on this album – making me even more excited to hear his newest output

This album showcases the true depth and detail Martyn explores with his bass-orientated brand of electronica. From the eerie opening track “Love and Machines” (Featuring Hyperdub Records regular ‘Spaceape’) the scene is set for the musical amalgamation of man and machine which ensues.

Second track “Viper” with its relentlessly mechanical sounding intro begins with potential, but fails to ever develop into a real song. It is not until “Masks” that the true character of this album comes to light, with a slow burning techno bassline sprinkled with characteristic glitchy bleeps. “Popgun” has a UK Funky beat to it, perhaps influenced by the likes of Roska and Cooly G who feature on Martyn’s addition to the Fabric series. Title track “Ghost People” is a bouncy house number with a tribal-drum breakdown, highlighting Martyn's attention to detail, particularly percussion and elaborate drum patterns.

This album is a departure from 2009’s “Great Lengths”, which then underlined Martyn’s importance to the bass music community; and acted as a breath of fresh air in the newly sensationalised Dubstep scene. The next track “Twice As” is the only track on this album which resembles ‘true Dubstep’. It is interesting to see Martyn developing his sound and keeping on top of current underground trends.

Penultimate track “Horror Vacui” is potentially the most dance-floor friendly on the album. With a pounding techno beat and layer upon layer of drums building up to the songs climax, they are then stripped away to reveal strange synthy sounds almost hidden under the surface of the rest of the song.

The albums closing track and personal favourite “We Are You In The Future” is an interesting blend of futuristic techno and house beats, with maybe just a slight reference to Martyn’s earlier output as a Jungle/DnB producer. Clocking in at over 8 minutes long, to me this song sums up the entire album, bringing together elements of warehouse techno, after hour’s house and pure bass.

Surprisingly, this record was released on Brainfeeder - a traditionally more hip-hop (or glitch-hop) orientated label, home to the likes of Flying Lotus, The Gaslamp Killer and Daedelus - rather than Martyn’s own ‘3024’ record label. “Ghost People” incorporates some elements of glitch, with tracks such as ‘Distortions’; a mere nod towards the characteristic Brainfeeder sound.

Building on the success of ‘Great Lengths,’ Martyn manages to further break down the boundaries between House, Techno, Dubstep, UK Funky and everything in-between. This album may lack some of the warmth of its predecessor but it certainly doesn’t lack the substance.

By Ashley White