High Contrast should need no introduction with a legacy as one of D+B’s most recognisable and much loved figures. Since the release of his seminal debut, “True Colours” in 2002, he’s risen through the ranks to become one of the most sought-after DJs in the scene. His third studio album “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” (2008) followed 2004’s “High Society”, and was succeeded by “High Contrast: Confidential”, a double-disc best-of compilation that fused the best of his own production with high profile remixes of The Streets, Adele and Basement Jaxx.
Returning in 2012 with his fourth artist album, “The Agony & The Ecstasy”, High Contrast is set to reinstate his reputation at the top table with this superb twelve-track long player.
Featuring an extensive range of collaborators, from established, worldwide superstars such as Tiësto and Underworld to up-and-coming fresh new talent such as Med School signing Lung and Jessy Allen, this truly is an album of contrasts. Hospital ever present Liane Carrol, who you may recognise from London Elektricity live, aswell as Chase & Status / Breakage vocalist extraordinaire Claire Maguire and KidAdrift’s Selah Corbin also feature on the album.
High Contrast himself describes “The Agony & The Ecstasy” as “more personal” than any other album he’s made, so prepare to be moved with some heartfelt melodies as well as the uplifting anthems which have his signature sound written all over them and push him back into the spotlight.
Kicking off with the title track “The Agony & The Ecstasy” (feat. Selah Corbin), which was debuted live with Annie Mac on Radio One, we are taken through some superb vocal-led cuts such as the spine-chillingly yearning “Wish You Were Here” (feat. Selah Corbin), the stripped back, downbeat melancholy of “Almost Human” (feat. Clare Maguire) as well as the previously released Radio One playlisted single “The First Note Is Silent” (feat. Tiesto and Underworld).
Other highlights from across the selection include experimental cinematic interlude “238 Days”, the impassionate “Emotional Vampire”; things take a dark and twisted turn in “Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning?” before “All There Is (feat. Liane Carrol)” brings the album to a close.
NHS204CD:
12-track CD
- THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY (FEAT SELAH CORBIN)
- THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER
- WISH YOU WERE HERE (FEAT SELAH CORBIN)
- ALMOST HUMAN (FEAT CLAIRE MAGUIRE)
- THE ONLY WAY THERE (FEAT SELAH CORBIN)
- THE FIRST NOTE IS SILENT (FEAT TIËSTO AND UNDERWORLD)
- EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE
- 238 DAYS (FEAT UNDERWORLD)
- NOT WAVING, BUT DROWNING (FEAT LUNG AND JESSY ALLEN)
- FATHER, CAN’T YOU SEE I’M BURNING?
- THE STAND
- ALL THERE IS (FEAT LIANE CARROL)
NHS204LP:
4-piece vinyl gatefold LP includes the full 12-track CD and the following tracks on vinyl:
- THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER
- WISH YOU WERE HERE (FEAT SELAH CORBIN)
- ALMOST HUMAN (FEAT CLAIRE MAGUIRE)
- THE ONLY WAY THERE (FEAT SELAH CORBIN)
- EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE
- NOT WAVING, BUT DROWNING (FEAT LUNG AND JESSY ALLEN)
- THE STAND
- ALL THERE IS (FEAT LIANE CARROL)
NHS204DD
The digital download album includes the twelve tracks from the CD and includes the following bonus tracks:
- THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY (INSTRUMENTAL)
- WISH YOU WERE HERE (INSTRUMENTAL)
- THE FIRST NOTE IS SILENT (INSTRUMENTAL) (FEAT TIËSTO AND UNDERWORLD)
Click here to buy the digital download from the Hospital Shop!
Singles from the album:
‘The Agony & The Ecstasy’ featuring Selah Corbin:
‘Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning’:
Hot on the heels of his massive collaboration with Tiësto and Underworld, High Contrast brings us the eponymous single from his forthcoming and highly anticipated album “The Agony & The Ecstasy”, which is due out at the end of February on Hospital.
The album title was exclusively revealed by High Contrast for Annie mac Live on Radio One.
The only drum+bass artist we can think of who can get away with writing tunes about existential metaphysics and drawing on renaissance artwork for the cover imagery.
The title track is an organ-chiming, synth-soaring burst of opposing energies with uplifting strings, thumping drums and cooing vocals from upcoming Welsh star Selah Corbin.
“Father, Can’t You See I’m Burning?” is the accompanying deeper, darker six and a half minute venture on the flipside. From an eerie intro full of tense, cinematic SFX and haunted whisperings, it builds into a compelling melodic main part with crisp breaks, atmospheric sweeps and an immense midway breakdown. Watch for the switch in the second half.
‘The First Note Is Silent’ featuring Tiësto and Underworld:
‘Fearful Symmetry’:
Following his collaboration “Scribble” on Underworld’s album “Barking” last year, and his remix of Tiësto’s “Kaleidoscope” in 2009, the Cardiff based producer behind such contemporary classics as “Racing Green”, “If We Ever” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is back to take up his rightful place as one of UK dance music’s elite.
“The First Note Is Silent” will be the first single from High Contrast new album, which is due out February 2012 on Hospital. The track is a superb demonstration of his ear for a good hook bringing in the talents of stadium trance maestro Tiësto and legendary UK electronic outfit Underworld.
Expect soaring, feel-good synths with the uplifting rush of Tiësto’s trademark trance, euphoric piano keys, pounding drums and yearning polished vocals from Karl Hyde in “The First Note Is Silent”, gelled together in with the expansive widescreen production for which High Contrast has become known.
On the flip, “Fearful Symmetry” sees High Contrast go solo for an equally impressive outing. Eerie soundscapes set the scene before a weighty, throbbing drone and hissing percussion kicks in, as the tune rolls hard into the drop with a surprisingly dark, tech-y edge. Fear not though, this is still High Contrast doing what he does best with a grinding riff, sparkling synths, buckets of dancefloor energy and bags of class.
Hello Lincoln
Although we have only said hello to each other when I was picking your dad up. I just wanted say congrats on your amazing journey to the Olympics 2012. i have some of your music before now and I enjoy what you have done.
Can you please tell me’ is the music you put together for London 2012 is going to be released’ if so I will make a point to purchase it.
I was a DJ working through out Wales and Europe’ I had my own breakfast show on the island of Jersey CI. Although I had to retire due to illness’ I’m still very interested in the music of today.
I hope what you have done for London 2012 will bring in more and more work for you’ you deserve all you have done and a lot more.
Phil.
Phil – thanks alot man, appreciate your support. The Olympics tunes Ive made are mostly already available on the official Ilses of Wonder album that has been released but my individual tracks will also get a download release on Hospital Records very soon, cheers.
Hello Lincoln, I just wanted you to know my love for your music. The Agony and the Ecstasy is the greatest album I’ve ever heard in electronic music scene. Maybe it’s the greatest album ever. And I heard a lot of music. I am a hardcore fan of your music for almost 4 years now and I don’t regret any second with your heart touching sounds I had. And also, as I am producing music by myself, only casual though, you are a great inspiration. Thank you for everything and I am looking forward to come to England and see you live.
Greetings Sebastian