Possibly their finest album in 25 years...
23 · 05 · 2025
For three decades, Morcheeba has served as a trip-hop haven for audiences. The unexpected encounter between Kent-based brothers, producers, and multi-instrumentalists Paul and Ross Godfrey, and East London vocalist and songwriter Skye Edwards in the mid-1990s led to the formation of the original trio. They perfectly encapsulated the ethereal, electronic vibe of the late 90s with their debut album ‘Who Can You Trust?’, followed closely by the more folk-influenced yet highly popular ‘Big Calm.’ During this time, Edwards took a five-year break in 2003 while Paul Godfrey departed around 2013.
Now performing as a duo, Skye and Ross have released Morcheeba's 11th album, which is the third one without Paul Godfrey. In simple terms, ‘Escape the Chaos’ may very well be their best record since the 2000s. The lead single and opening track ‘Call for Love’ showcases Skye’s signature, spine-tingling brilliance, merging anthemic qualities with a soothing feel. The quasi-rap track ‘Peace of Mind’ featuring Oscar #Worldpeace pays homage to the eclectic interludes found on those early Morcheeba albums that included artists like Spikey-T.
‘We Live and Die’ pays homage to the band’s lasting bond and stands out as a highlight on the album. The verses carry a darker undertone, elevated by Skye’s heavenly vocals in the chorus.
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Following their global tour for the previous album, ‘Blackest Blue,’ in 2021, ‘Escape the Chaos’ took two years to create. It was entirely produced by Godfrey, who sought various collaborations to enhance the project. This includes Australian producer Hugh Counsell, who co-wrote the quirky instrumental ‘Cooler Heads Prevail,’ featuring impressive record scratching from DJ Mr Six. Colombian artist El Léon Pardo and Godfrey’s wife, French singer Amanda Zamolo, both contribute to the shamanic and psychedelic track ‘Pareidolia.’
The first half of the album is undeniably stronger, featuring catchy tracks like ‘Elephant Clouds,’ the energizing ‘Far We Come,’ and the gently simmering ‘Molten.’ However, the latter half of the LP also holds some treasures. The previously mentioned ‘Pareidolia’ is a captivating, guitar-driven psychedelic experience, while the closing atmospheric title track encapsulates themes of solidarity, inclusion, and refuge.
Morcheeba is not so naive as to believe they can bring about global harmony through their music; however, the combination of Skye Edwards’s voice harmonizing with Godfrey’s music remains a refuge amid life’s chaos, offering a sound fragment for both individual and collective inner peace.
8/10
Words: Lee Campbell
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Morcheeba has served as a musical, trip-hop refuge for the public for three decades. The Kent-based brothers, who are both producers and multi-instrumentalists, Paul and Ross