Juxtapose

"For Real," JUXTAPOSE's opening cut, might lead one to think that the eternally ominous Tricky had lightened up. Its lush, blissful blend of Seal-like R&B/pop and P.M. Dawn bliss-hop seems miles away from Tricky's usual apocalyptic visions. It's soon business as usual though, as urgently muttered rapping and snaky, angular electric guitar underline the foreboding element of "Boom Boom Diggy," and percolating breakbeats frame "She Said"'s moody keyboards and sinister-sounding vocals.

Tricky is undoubtedly utilizing an expanded sonic palette here, as evidenced by the nylon-string guitar on "Contradictive" and "Wash My Soul," and the heavy metal power chords of "Hot Like A Sauna (Metal Mix)." His aesthetic is as penetrating and uncompromising as ever. With assistance from American hip-hop producers DJ Muggs and Grease, JUXTAPOSE is less intimidating than Tricky's previous efforts, but no less heartfelt or satisfying.