The Chemical Brothers

If you’re expecting an onslaught of experimental electronica, heavy bass and big beats you’ll not be disappointed with the new Chemical Brothers album, 'Further'.
Prepare once again to have your audio and visual senses hijacked, with the reassurance (of course) that you are in safe hands, as their 7th album is nothing short of inspired.
And all those who consider themselves to be more visual than they are auditory, can look forward to a hedonistic hit to the senses, as the boys have once again enlisted the help of Flat Nose George - aka Adam Smith - to create a multi-sensory experience they hope will rival all previous releases to date.
As even the most fair weather fans have learnt, the first track on any of their albums is nearly always a test of a listener’s loyalty, and 'Snow' is no exception.
Once you’ve endured the first 50 seconds of incessant beeping (similar to that experienced with manual broadband dial up) you’re quickly immersed in the digital mastery that we have come to know and expect of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons.
The upbeat tempo, electronic overture and relentless bass line of 'Escape Velocity' is the welcome warm-up to any night out and the perfect prelude to, 'Another World'.
A definitive dance-floor classic, that builds momentum quicker than the duo drop beats, the third track is destined for a place in the Chemical Brother’s hall of anthems.
Released last month - in time for mid May Ibiza openers - 'Swoon' is the only pre-released single from the album, and has proved to be a slow burner, after it disappointingly charted lower than any of the group’s hits to date.
But Rowlands & Simons, should remain quietly optimistic on the album’s closer, 'Wonders of the Deep'.
A palatable and instantly likeable track which combines original guitar, drums and synthesiser, it will no doubt have the producer’s of Channel 4’s coming of age drama, 'Skins' clambering for the rights to use it.
After 15 years together, if there’s one rule to adopt when listening to the Chemical Brothers, it’s to expect the unexpected, and those who do so are likely to receive the new album, Further as it was intended.
Love it or loathe it, the Chemical Brothers should be acknowledged for their continual efforts to progress music. Their new album, if nothing else, remains true to this, and of course the fact that unlike other groups, they are not just back with another one of those block rockin’ beats!