- The Scottish based duo of Orde Meikle and Stuart McMillan team up as the irresistible Slam to deliver their latest album, Year Zero. Year Zero is their third album, and it follows the highly regarded Alien Radio album which featured such modern classics like ‘Positive Education’ and ‘Lifetimes’, the vocal anthem that featured the vocals of Tyrone and really put Slam’s name further etched in the Electronic Scene. Tyrone returns in this album, alongside a multitude of vocal talent including the vocals of the veteran Billie Ray Martin.
It is Tyrone however that features in the first track on the album, the delightful ‘This World’ getting the album off to a blissful start with bleeping melodies, a nice bouncy baseline and of course the emotional vocal inputs of Tyrone smothered over dirty gritty synth patterns. A fantastic way to begin the album. ‘Kill The Pain’ bring the tempo down a bit with the soothing vocals of Dot Allison residing over smooth slowed beats and eerie melodic patterns. Envoy injects his energy into ‘Fast Lane’, a track that has a strong 80’s electronic vibe to it. ‘Metropolitan Cosmopolitan’ is again another quirky addition to the album, with upbeat drum patterns meeting with some quick fire vocals of Elbee Bad and some twisted effects. The pace drops again with ‘Blow Your Mind’, a production rife with electro stabs and spaced out effects. The latest single in ‘Lie To Me’ appears next providing a real highlight of the album. Expect the usual gritty Slam baselines, equipped with the seductive vocals Ann Saunderson and beautifully constructed string patterns. ‘Known Pleasures’ yet again takes the album up a notch with some nicely paced beats meeting emotive melodies and some driving baselines creating a full on club anthem. ‘Bright Lights Fading’ sees the familiar vocals of Billie Ray Martin grace our ears and create another highlight in this very good album. Strong soothing vocals feature alongside warm undertones and smooth delicate beats. The smooth vibe continues with the quirky ‘Ghost Electric’, a production the builds with smooth beat patterns as well as some uplifting tones and bubbly melodies. The album ends off in style with the upbeat ‘Human’, a track that is probably the toughest on the album due to some twisted baselines and crisp drums.
This album is yet another quality instalment in to the world of music from Slam, with a solid selection of variety and cutting edge moments. The album will definitely please their fans with the usual Slam sounds in abundance, but the album is sure to get a few more people on their side as the general feel of this album is very upbeat throughout. So if you know what to expect from Slam then I urge you to try this album. If you are new to the Slam sound, then there is no better place to start with Year Zero.