Herbert and Momoko "Clay" LP

Matthew Herbert never fails to boggle the mind. But even amidst the vast array of musical richness to be found in his discography, this record is special. It’s a joy for old fans, as it overtly harks back to the house rhythms and song structures of his early classics Around the House and Bodily Functions, but it also launches forward from that template, thanks to the writing and vision of singer/drummer Momoko Gill. Gill meshes incredibly well with Herbert’s sound—to the point where a whole new composite personality emerges. It glows with both emotional warmth and flashes of intellect, and it feels like an old friend even on first listen.