There's nothing else like this. FKA Twigs continues her exploration of the outer edges of futuristic R&B with LP1. She moves in the decaying fringes of the post hip hop landscape, moving forward where artists who pushed the Bristol bass sound, like Massive Attack and Portishead, left off. The mood of the album is dark and seductive. There's an overt sensuality in Twigs' vocals that is driven forward by the album's spacious, bass heavy productions. You might be reminded of The Weeknd, but Twigs is on to something else here. She takes the conventions of popular R&B and makes them fit into her own unique mold. Kanye collaborator and Yeezus producer Arca shows up for the majority of LP1. His dense productions seem to pair perfectly with Twigs' vocals. When others come on board, like Clams Casino or new comer Cy An, their productions still fit firmly into FKA Twigs' world. LP1 is a massive statement from an artist who still seems to have a ton to say. Recommended.

• 180 gram vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• bonus 7" featuring exclusive track "One Time"
• 4 x 12" art prints by Jesse Kanda
• download voucher
• music label: Young Turks 2014

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 09/2014