Hybrid – Disappear Here

Live Robot Orchestra Club

The mature sounds of Hybrid’s Disappear Here are immediate. This is the sound of an experienced group that knows exactly what it’s doing. The vocal meshes of new member singer/songwriter Charlotte James and guest vocalist Tim Hutton intertwine ideally with hyper-programming care of Hybrid founders Mike Truman and Chris Healings. The melding of vocal and synth melodies is almost angelic, to the point where it seems that machines are doing the harmonizing. That is until you realize that Disappear Here is human.

The grandiose buildups stretch across various emotions and moods—anger, love, serenity—and continuously grow so extensively to the point of borderline boredom. Much like album opener “Empire,” Disappear Here flows almost aimlessly and hardly gets anywhere, but somehow manages not to get lost within the web of complex song structures.

Hybrid’s approach to electronics is an intelligent romp of live-tronica: no mindless, repetitive drum loops; no disco samples; and definitely no air horns. The human element of Disappear Here is brought to life by James’ tender vocals and the futuristic orchestration of Truman and Healings. It’s as if an orchestra of robots joins the trio armed with a digitized strings section.

Disappear Here is as beautiful as it is real. James vocal style is sincere and endearing, a rare attribute in the electronic world, but one that distinguishes Disappear Here’s unique take on live electronics. The addition of James as a permanent member of Hybrid adds a celestial flair to an already dream-like soundscape.