PROM NITE

Dressed in a powder blue suit with the frilly shirt to match, DJ Yoda invites you to be his +1 for aeProm NiteAE, his new album promising retro Americana full of daydreaming reverie, international megastar guests, trip hop acknowledging the likes of Morcheeba and Nightmares on Wax, and the turntable extraordinaireAEs bread and butter of cuts, beats and rhymes. Think deliciously harmonised doo-wop murmuring aeGoodnight SweetheartAE with an eye for dreamboats en route to Makeout Point u on aeMy EnergyAE, Eva Lazarus takes the form of an earth angel, with Yoda on jukebox cut-ups, taking it back to starry-eyed, clean cut days of wonder (or more recently, Little MixAEs aeLove Me Like YouAE). Beginning enigmatically with the assistance of Hollywood A-lister (and former next-door neighbour) Lily James, aeBreatheAE demonstrate YodaAEs continued evolution as a musician (not to mention shrewd decision maker), with JamesAE vocal confidence - a little Lana del Rey to her breathiness - returning on the velvet-smooth aeAirplane ModeAE. ItAEs a smartly executed soundclash accentuated by LA rapper Choosey, the star of the albumAEs straightest hip-hop shooter aeHarder I RockAE. Homeboy Sandman adds some kick to the prom punch with typical wordplay sent down aeCoconut GroveAE, and Liam Bailey is perfectly cast for the darkly cinematic sway of aeDonAEt Even Try ItAE. On an album of many talking points, the LPAEs crowning glory is opening single aeFeel Like HomeAE: featuring the vocal comforts of the House Gospel Choir, itAEs your gouto pick-me-up when the chips are down, targeting the hairs on the backs of necks like a softer focus version of Jamie xxAEs aeLoud PlacesAE. Extended into an alternative, equally uplifting form by BeardymanAEs aeDonAEt Mean ThingAE, summer festival season already has its homecoming anthem. With tongues wagging, the twists and turns step away from Heartbreak Ridge when O Love tucks into the mouthwatering shopping list funk of aeWay HomeAE; and aeLesson 1956AE, featuring Jamie Cullum and DJ Woody, jauntily pays homage to classic Cut Chemist alchemy, YodaAEs celebrated turntable tomfoolery back in full effect and extending the flavours found in aeHome CookingAE..'