Bibio - Ribbons (2019) CDRip

2019 marks a decade since Bibio released his first LP on Warp. As such, it seems fitting that Stephen Wilkinson will mark the occasion with new album Ribbons, his seventh for the label and the tenth of an impressive career.

Where Wilkinson’s previous full-length Phantom Brickworks largely eschewed song-centric writing in favour of ambient soundscapes, Ribbons finds a way to balance the two sides of Bibio’s output. Lead single ‘Curls’ is a gorgeous psychedelic folk ballad, giving us a taste of what else is in store, the way in which the track’s dreamy production brings together trilling strings, busy guitar and vocal close harmony gives ‘Curls’ a great hypnagogic feel.

The rest of Ribbons maintains this air of rose-tinted nostalgia. Golden-age Americana, disco, West Coast psych and more are all warmed up and tripped-out across the course of the record. Wilkinson’s use of field recordings and found sounds only adds to the evocative atmosphere.