The long-awaited sophomore album by The Avalanches is finally here! Actually, "long-awaited" may actually be an understatement considering this was 16 years in the making; but hey it's a new Avalanches album, not complaining! The enigmatic group of Australian DJ's dropped their now-classic debut full length Since I Left You back at the turn of the millennium and have been quiet ever since. Fast forward over a decade and a half later and the boys are back with the follow up Wildflower. Considering the first album had an estimated 3,500 different samples used in it (which must've been insane to try and clear) may explain why it was such a long time coming, but really it doesn't matter. The fact is, the Avalanches are back with the same sample-heavy aesthetic that made them famous in the first place, but now with the addition of several guest MC's and vocalists to really fill out the sound and push it over the top. Have a listen to the lead single "Frank Sinatra" with Danny Brown and DOOM dropping playful raps over an even more playful beat, "Noisy Eater" with Biz Markie, and the super soulful "Because I'm Me" with Camp Lo. Toro Y Moi drops in on the breezy vibes of "If I Was A Folkstar." With the vocal tracks as fantastic as they are, and the instrumentals in between equally gorgeous, it's apparent that despite the long wait, these guys haven't missed a beat. 21 tracks in all.

• double vinyl
• music label: Modular Recordings 2016

reviewed by Acid Pro 07/2016