Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost (2LP/GF/180G)
Zero 7 took a bold creative turn with Yeah Ghost, moving away from the downtempo, lounge-inspired sound that first made them famous and embracing a darker, more rhythm-driven style. Released in 2009, the album retains the duo’s trademark atmospheric production and melodic depth, but introduces sharper electronic textures, live-band energy and a more experimental edge.
Featuring vocals from Eska Mtungwazi and Henry Binns alongside contributions from folk artist Martha Tilston and electronic producer Rowdy Superstar, Yeah Ghost explores a wide range of moods and influences. Tracks such as “Medicine Man”, “Everything Up (Zizou)” and “Swing” combine pulsing electronic grooves with soulful vocals and layered instrumentation, creating a sound that feels more urgent and contemporary than earlier Zero 7 releases.
Despite the stylistic shift, the album still carries the warmth and cinematic quality associated with the duo’s best work. Rich basslines, detailed percussion and spacious production make it particularly rewarding on vinyl, where the album’s textured arrangements and subtle sonic details can fully breathe.
Yeah Ghost may have surprised fans expecting another simple chillout record, but it stands as one of Zero 7’s most adventurous and underrated albums. Confident, inventive and emotionally engaging, it showcases a band willing to evolve creatively while maintaining the musical sophistication that made them so distinctive in the first place.