Bonobo: Distance In Static

"Bonobo, aka Simon Green, is back with *Distance In Static*, his new album released on Ninja Tune. On “Distance In Static,” Bonobo collaborates with his usual impressive roster of artists, including Arooj Aftab, Joy Crookes, Nilüfer Yanya, Ichiko Aoba, Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters), and Aanya Martin. The lyrics are written in English, Urdu, and Japanese, while historical Iranian samples and guzheng recordings sit alongside Bonobo’s meticulously crafted instrumental sounds. These were created during recording sessions in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, and beyond: a significant portion of the album was completed at Neil Young’s legendary Broken Arrow Ranch in California, where he had retreated for several weeks earlier this year. The album’s title—“Distance In Static”—aptly describes Bonobo’s current situation: it evokes images of distorted transmissions and fleeting frequencies, fragments of memory and glimmers of meaning that echo through more than two decades at the forefront of electronic music. He sees the traces of his work reflected in a younger generation that is rediscovering 1990s trip-hop, downtempo, and experimental electronic music from a contemporary perspective. “I think the beginnings of my work are relevant to younger people today,” he says. “I liked the idea of listening for a distant signal—finding something in the noise,” he continues. The entire album conveys a sense of the search for transcendence: music that hovers between intimacy and vastness, the familiar and the unknown. In the universe of “Distance In Static,” there is also a sense that this album marks something truly monumental. It is a moment of transition, a celebration of Bonobo’s 25th anniversary, but perhaps also his last album in the traditional sense: featuring numerous guest appearances and a multi-year world tour with a full live band. Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: “Distance In Static” is arguably Bonobo’s best album to date; as ambitious and forward-looking as ever, and a reminder of why he has had such a profound influence on so many people for so long. CD in a triple-fold cardboard sleeve with an insert. Design and art direction by Trevor Jackson.