Album: Jon Hopkins

Opalescent, Just Music

Evocative a name though Opalescent is, if only Hopkins could have named his debut Café del Mar vol.36. Then everyone would know exactly what to expect and come away very happy with their purchase. The tracks are called things like Fading Glow and Inner Peace and they're all blissfully ambient, with tranquil melodies and lazy beats. There's the occasional flamenco guitar lick just in case we hadn't picked up on the Balearic vibe, and there's even the return of whale music. But somehow Hopkins makes it sound classic, not clichéd. Nothing you won't have heard before, then, but still effortlessly enjoyable every time.