Counter Vinyl & CDs

Review: Ninja Tune offshoot Counter has described Alium, Submotion Orchestra's third full-length, as "bigger, bolder and brighter" than previous offerings. It's true that the Leeds-based seven-piece are in fine form, with the string-drenched, early-evening-at-a-festival feel of their more downtempo offerings (highlighted by the fragile, folksy vocals of Ruby Turner) off-set by a selection of tracks that draw more deeply on dubstep, dancefloor jazz, soul and surging electronica influences. As a result, Alium bobs and weaves attractively, mixing lighters-aloft torch songs with more immersive, grandiose efforts guaranteed to get feet moving and lips quivering out on the dancefloor.