More about: Jon Hopkins

Dropped via Domino records, Music For Psychedelic Therapy is one of the most daring, idiosyncratic, and monumental projects of Jon Hopkins' career so far. Spread across eight tranquil interludes and a spoken-word finale, Music For Psychedelic Therapy sees the artist double up on his experimental values, and fully immerse himself in the psychedelic world of trance music.

Opening with alluring introduction ‘Welcome’, this six-minute piece is spell-bound by exhilarating synths and atmospheric chimes. From the moment of the very first note, this track is alarmingly bold, its siren-like introduction is both a mixture of discomfort and disorientation. But there’s something so blatant about it; the piercing continuous note that you’re welcomed by from the first few seconds is testing of your ability to block out your surroundings and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of pure ambience. ‘Welcome’ is a major give or take, a test of one’s patience, and commitment to freeing yourself of any disruptive thought process.

Following are three renditions of ‘Tayos Caves Ecuador'—as you follow the track-list each cut gets an inch more cryptic. ‘Tayos Cave Ecuador II' introduces daunting keywork and ‘Tayos Cave Ecuador III’ capitalises on the above, marking an almost-finale of a short story within an even bigger project. Taking influence from an expedition back in 2018, which involved a trip to Ceuvo de los Toyos (the Cave of the Oilbirds), Hopkins has been sitting on these three tracks as retrospective compositions reflective of his time spent in almost solitude. Combining his love for trance-like electronica, and the natural fall of a rainforest, Tayos Cave Ecuador' I, II, and III are each imperative narratives for this album. 

Stripping away both drums and lyrics from this project, Hopkins has attentively crafted a room of silence so brilliantly and ironically loud with endless interpretation. Across this album you have this hallucinatory, hypnagogic project, itching to connect with nature, and bound to have you reflecting on something.

Sombre penultimate track ‘Arriving’ actually indicates departure, and is the first single on this album to feature any human-like instruments. The delicate hums across this track are a warming, and comforting gesture that slowly fade into the distance.  

‘Sit Around The Fire’ is the perfect finale to a project that’s entire passage is to recognise the connection our spirits share with nature: a wholesome project bound to inspire you to dig deeper into your own psyche. If you weren’t at all spiritual before, I’m sure you’re somewhat debating that now. 

Music For Psychedelic Therapy is out now.

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More about: Jon Hopkins