Whatever the Weather : Whatever the Weather II
Loraine James can do no wrong. In less than a decade, she’s become one of the premier electronic artists on the planet, crafting glitched-out grooves that pay homage to emo and R&B in equal measure. Her work can feel heady and intellectual on the surface, but when you really begin to investigate the intricate elements in her songs, intense levels of deep emotion reveal themselves. Sure, you can dance to it, but James also wants you to feel.
With Whatever the Weather, her ambient side project, she doubles down on those feelings at the expense of her more kinetic sensibilities. On Whatever the Weather II, James embraces dub and impressionistic free jazz to create the inverse of her solo work. Released on Ghostly International, this 12-song album provides layers of textures that tremble between tender and tense. Blending Brian Eno, Suzanne Ciani and William Basinski with the utmost care, she delivers palpable ambiance without relying exclusively on vibes.
The album beckons you to explore the liminal spaces between the tangible and fantastical. Tremulous washes of synth pad dance with thick chord beds that flow in and out of the mix. Pulsing bass kicks and rumbling sub-bass tones offer a redolent presence without necessarily keying on a specific meter. Modular synth effects flit around the high end, serving as flavor, but never distraction. Standout songs like “3∞C,” “20∞C,” “9∞C,” and “12∞C” overflow with dreamy curiosity, refusing to be mere background accompaniment.
Though Whatever the Weather II can seem airy and formless, it never feels lost. Loraine James gives us an insular song cycle that’s reserved but never relaxed. Patient and pensive at its core, the record avoids pedestrian introversion through focusing on delicate compositional techniques that create a hushed listening experience. By actively subverting the acute instincts for timing and timbre in her solo work, she keeps her art fresh and free.
Label: Ghostly
Year: 2025
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Whatever the Weather : Whatever the Weather II
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