Bibio
Mind Bokeh
Warp
In photography, 鈥渂okeh鈥 is the blur created in the out-of-focus part of a photograph and in Japanese the term 鈥渂oke鈥 also refers to a mental haze. Mind Bokeh is the audio equivalent of 鈥渂okeh鈥; an album of hazy layering and delicate nostalgia that encourages soft focus and dispersion of thought. The album鈥檚 artwork reflects these intentions and illustrates 鈥渂okeh鈥, a cluster of colourful lights rendered into the polygonal shapes of an aperture.
Mind Bokeh is Bibio鈥檚 most accomplished album to date, blending a soulful and vivid assortment of tracks and creating a dappled, uplifting arrangement that teases the senses and conjures up sunblind days of summer. Bibio, aka Stephen Wilkinson, is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and artists and this album of colourful pop is underscored by diversity; layered and evocative, it鈥檚 reminiscent of Boards of Canada鈥檚 dreamy analogue style, a band also signed with Warp.
The whole album has a vintage, grainy sense to it, with elements of the hurdy gurdy and sun-filled funfairs half-remembered. A beautifully bright collection.
Bryony Byrne