Squarepusher: Ufabulum

Tom Jenkinson’s recent creative pathways have largely left longtime fans of his Squarepusher output confused and disappointed. Ufabulum collects elements of Squarepusher’s last two records - the hyper fusion of 2008’s Just a Souvenir and the pop accessibility of its follow-up, Shobaleader One: d’Demonstrator - and combines them into something altogether more interesting and composed. Unlike on previous records, Jenkinson chose to forgo live instrumentation for Ufabulum. Opener “4001” instantly reflects the change; the unhinged drum and bass that has always characterized Squarepusher’s music takes on an even more inhuman appearance. The decision works to the album’s benefit and its disadvantage. The first half features some of the finest and most wicked outré material of Jenkinson’s career. But after a while, the volatility of the human element becomes sorely missed. (3 out of 5 stars)