Bleep

The Leeds luminaries come through with an LP that is at once one of their most expansive and also one of their most single-minded. This is encapsulated on eight-and-a-half minute opener ‘Mobilise’, a track that builds from a live drum groove ala Brandt Brauer Frick into a glorious widescreen roller that is equal parts Pantha Du Prince and Explosions in the Sky. Using juddering, repetitive loops as jumping-off points from which to explore post-rock, techno and psychedelia in all their forms, The Great Distraction is an ambitious record and one that is richly rewarded for the risks it takes. An impressive lineup of guests - The Flaming Lips, Harkin, John Grant and Vincent Neff - is made better by each contribution augmenting rather than overshadowing Vessels.