Portishead is one of the more unique players in the culture of sampling and recycling sounds of the past that began with futurist experimentation in the early 80s, later to dominate the charts in the form of hip hop. Portishead’s Dummy unearthed and gave new context to forgotten jazz loops, esotetic film scores, and dusty blues licks. Beth Gibbons takes to this stage naturally - her iconic, tortured voice calling to mind a mix of Billie Holiday and Sandy Denny. Rustin’ Man is an alias of Paul Webb, the bassist of pastoral synthpop / experimental group Talk Talk, which he revived in 2019 with a new solo album. Both musicians have deftly navigated the space between groundbreaking pop and chin-scratching experimentation, making this record both surprising and some expected at once. Out of Season was originally released in 2002 and went out of print shortly after, making this a sought after rarity to fans of both groups. “Mysteries” begins the disc with sombre acoustic strums and Gibbons' sharp voice, a gently cooing choir submerged in the background. “Romance” is Gibbons front and center over delicate strings and thumping brass, harrowing yet heartfelt. “Tom The Model” is slow-mo bass vibrations and well-controlled vibrato, layers of vocals wellded like orchestral stabs over rambling organ and droning brass. This album is Gibbons at her most raw and bleak, making Out of Season is a blast of catharsis even on first listen.

• 180g black vinyl pressing (please note: actual pressing color and packaging may differ from mock-up photo)
• remastered at Abbey Road Studios
• original release year: 2002
• music label: Universal 2025

reviewed by ONLY A LAD 06/2019