Energy is the first album in five years from Disclosure brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence — similar to their early laid-back house music but even less urgent and more textured.
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The title track uses cut-up samples of hip-hop preacher Eric Thomas, whose words appeared in 2013’s When a Fire Starts to Burn — the year Disclosure had two consecutive top 10 hit singles. Carnivalesque percussion builds to create a clubbier feel, and the album’s key message materializes: “Where your focus goes, your energy flows”.
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With Energy, Disclosure continues the refined, radio-friendly takes on house, U.K. garage, and more than made them stars, but find plenty of room to expand into new territory. As with Settle and it’s slower, more R&B-influenced follow-up Caracal, Energy boasts an impressive list of guest stars whose talents help make these dancefloor anthems into all-embracing global pop.
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‘ENERGY’ was written and recorded across 2019, and wrapped up before the year’s end. In an era of moody quarantine records, it’s refreshing that they haven’t retreated nor tried to anticipate a collective mood. It’s uncompromising and electrifying in the dour face of 2020 – and a reminder of how the Lawrence brothers are at the top of their game.
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Guy and Howard’s previous album, 2015’s ‘Caracal’, was no disaster – it solidified their songwriting chops and provided fertile ground for new collaborations with the likes of The Weeknd and Miguel – but perhaps lacked the urgency of their colossal debut album, 2013’s ‘Settle’. Then again, after hectic times on the road, it’s little wonder that they opted to take a more scenic route on album two, eschewing house bangers for R&B jams and a broader musical palette.
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They’ve kept busy in the interim, though. 2018’s delightful ‘Moonlight’ EP was a refreshing, sample-led tonic, while they’ve split their skills working with artists such as Lianne La Havas, Khalid, and the late Mac Miller. Another EP earlier this year, ‘Ecstasy’, acted as a reminder of the tempo and, ahem, energy, to be expected on their third album.