Moby

Wait For Me (Mute)

By Selena Fragassi
Published: June 30th, 2009 | 11:46am

When taken literally, the title of Moby’s tenth album, Wait For Me, might lead one to believe that the iconic electro composer is slowing down, or falling behind in the growing playing field of music. On the contrary, the latest recording from Richard Melville Hall proves that he is at the lead of relevant ambient techno-heads, with some of his best material in years.

Let’s just forget for a second about 18 and Hotel (V2 Records) and Last Night (Mute Records), and backtrack 10 years to the beauty that was Play (V2 Records). Had Moby somehow been in a coma for this period of time, Wait For Me would be the most natural place to continue his elegant, effortless music that magnifies in integrity with old field recordings and haunting female vocals.

“Pale Horses” is a prime example, with an emotional string section that chases after a patterned beat and catches up to the power of tender vocals and humming. The album’s frontrunner for the best track, “Study War,” features Moby’s trademark style of looping repeated words from a historic speech over dramatic sound engineering that is further edified by the foundation of a strong backup songstress.

During the recording process, which, unlike other albums, took place in the comfort of his home studio, Moby said he set out "to make a really emotional, beautiful record." The overall tone was also inspired by a David Lynch speech outlining the negative relationship creativity often has with marketplace results. The kinship of the two artists led to a shared vision on the video for “Shot In the Back Of the Head,” which Lynch directed.

If it’s beauty Moby was looking for, he found it again — a decade later. Although he may have begun his career as a dance music prodigy, it’s the intensity of albums such as Play and the delayed satisfaction of Wait For Me that will have fans waiting — but hopefully the reward comes a lot sooner next time.

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