Does 2021 really need an acoustic, orchestra backed version of Moby’s Greatest Hits? If it came with a free Covid jab, then maybe, but this collection of tunes simply dials down the vibe on some of Moby’s best bits.
That is not say that it is all bad. Not at all, with arrangements by Budapest Arts Orchestra and guest slots including Gregory Porter, Jim James and Alice Skye, there is a lot to enjoy. The thing is, these shake ups are not enough to get round the aching over-familiarity of everything here.
These tracks were wall to wall for too long as it is. Now, you can picture, or rather imagine, any number of (s)wanky bars putting this on repeat.
When Moby does have the courage to move from the template, such as a wickedly tribal redux of Go and a folktronic take on The Lonely Night featuring Kris Kristofferson and Mark Lanegan, hints are there of what could have been.
So to the cinematic sweep on ‘Natural Blues’ and ‘Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?’ from 1999 staple play.
The less said about the maudlin cover of Bowie’s Heroes the better, however.
Reprise is out now on Deutsche Grammophon.
