★★★½

Maybe you’ve heard of Anohni, or maybe you’re more familiar with Antony and The Johnsons – either way, you’re still listening to the intense vocal stylings of Antony Hegarty.

Hopelessness is the latest project from Hegarty, and the first to be released under her new moniker.

Hegarty’s vocals are the kind that seem to come from another place entirely, and this album does well to convey the idea of “a voice separated from a body” – Hegarty’s vision when producing the album. If you’re confused about what this might sound like, think along the lines of James Blake or Tom Snowdon.

This release is somewhat different to Hegarty’s previous efforts – it is more of an experimental electronic record, and the co-production between Anohni, Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke has resulted in an interesting new sound. Album highlights include opening song and latest single ‘Drone Bomb Me’, which makes heavy use of synthesizers, making for an interesting, almost dance track.

Hopelessness is worth a listen, even for those who aren’t familiar with Hegarty, just to experience the pure emotion it conveys.

Anohni’sHopelessnessis available now through Rough Trade/Remote Control.

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