Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
English trio London Grammar have quietly amassed a body of atmospheric, electronic pop material since they first posted "Metal & Dust" on the internet in 2012. Partnered with an appearance on Disclosure's Mercury-nominated album Settle, the Nottingham University alumni had set the internet hype machine in motion, less than a year after forming. With obvious nods to the unfussy, reverbed guitar motifs of the xx, alongside Hannah Reid's beautiful, emotive vocal ability -- which rises and falls with an alarmingly disarming effect -- the album is a practice in refrain, where each song is pushed to the brink of an inevitable climax and achingly, no further. The percussive production, synths, and basslines provided by multi-instrumentalist Dot Major, build on this sense of drama and urgency and are displayed perfectly in one of the highlights of the record, "Wasting My Young Years." Its throbbing chorus is chastened by the slow-burning synths and guitars that come together with stunning results when coupled with Reid's vocal delivery. The obvious confidence Reid has in her own voice belies the apparent vulnerability in the words she sings throughout, and the piano ballad "Strong" is testament to the loneliness and heartbreak that encapsulates the brooding feel of the album, which conflicts with the almost upbeat, danceable moments scattered amongst "Flickers" and "Stay Awake." They pay homage to their electronic influences mid-album with a rework of Kavinsky's "Nightcall" that unfolds gently into one of the most boisterous cuts on the record. It's no surprise that Reid's strong vocals are at the forefront of London Grammar's sound, and her voice dominates their music in much the same way as Florence Welch's does in Florence + the Machine. However, although at times they come close to overshadowing the subtle instrumentation provided by Major and Dan Rothman, it’s actually the intrinsic balance between the contributions of all three that defines their sound.
© Scott Kerr /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Kerr, Producer - Dot Major, Composer, Lyricist - Tim Bran, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer - Joel Pott, Composer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Limited / Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Unknown, Producer - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer
(P) 2013 Metal & Dust Recordings under exclusive license to Because Music for France
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist - Vincent Belorgey, Composer - Guy Manuel De Homem Christo, Composer
(P) 2013 Metal & Dust Recordings / Ministry Of Sound / Universal Music
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer, Lyricist - Dot Major, Composer, Lyricist - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Daniel Rothman, Composer - Dot Major, Composer - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
London Grammar, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer - Hannah Reid, Composer, Lyricist - Tim Bran, Producer - Roy Kerr, Producer
(P) 2014 Metal & Dust Recordings Ltd / Ministry of Sound Recordings Ltd exclusively licensed to Sony Music Entertainment Asia Inc
Album review
English trio London Grammar have quietly amassed a body of atmospheric, electronic pop material since they first posted "Metal & Dust" on the internet in 2012. Partnered with an appearance on Disclosure's Mercury-nominated album Settle, the Nottingham University alumni had set the internet hype machine in motion, less than a year after forming. With obvious nods to the unfussy, reverbed guitar motifs of the xx, alongside Hannah Reid's beautiful, emotive vocal ability -- which rises and falls with an alarmingly disarming effect -- the album is a practice in refrain, where each song is pushed to the brink of an inevitable climax and achingly, no further. The percussive production, synths, and basslines provided by multi-instrumentalist Dot Major, build on this sense of drama and urgency and are displayed perfectly in one of the highlights of the record, "Wasting My Young Years." Its throbbing chorus is chastened by the slow-burning synths and guitars that come together with stunning results when coupled with Reid's vocal delivery. The obvious confidence Reid has in her own voice belies the apparent vulnerability in the words she sings throughout, and the piano ballad "Strong" is testament to the loneliness and heartbreak that encapsulates the brooding feel of the album, which conflicts with the almost upbeat, danceable moments scattered amongst "Flickers" and "Stay Awake." They pay homage to their electronic influences mid-album with a rework of Kavinsky's "Nightcall" that unfolds gently into one of the most boisterous cuts on the record. It's no surprise that Reid's strong vocals are at the forefront of London Grammar's sound, and her voice dominates their music in much the same way as Florence Welch's does in Florence + the Machine. However, although at times they come close to overshadowing the subtle instrumentation provided by Major and Dan Rothman, it’s actually the intrinsic balance between the contributions of all three that defines their sound.
© Scott Kerr /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:43:22
- Main artists: London Grammar
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Ministry of Sound Recordings
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
(P) 2013 Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited / Metal & Dust Recordings Limited
Distinctions:
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.
Playlists