Album Review: Jon Hopkins - Ritual

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Artist: Jon Hopkins

Album: Ritual

Label: Domino Recording Company

Purchase Link: Amazon

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Jon Hopkins' latest album, Ritual, represents a significant evolution in his already impressive discography. Known for his intricate electronic compositions and collaborations with artists like Brian Eno and Coldplay, Hopkins delves deeper into the realms of spirituality and psychedelia with this release. While the promotional material suggests a quest for "opening portals within your inner world," the music offers something more tangible: a seamless journey through ambient landscapes and reflective soundscapes that are both evocative and deeply engaging.

Ritual is built around a single composition divided into eight parts, a structure that originated from a piece Hopkins created for Dreamachine, an immersive experience project involving light, sound, and architectural installations. The seeds for Ritual were planted in 2022 when Hopkins was commissioned to compose for this stroboscopic Dreamachine experience in London. The project's ceremonial atmosphere provided the foundation for the album, infusing it with a sense of ritual and introspection.