Over the past decade, Maribou State has carved out a unique space in electronic music, blending warm, organic textures with deep, intricate production. The UK duo—Chris Davids and Liam Ivory—first gained attention with their 2015 debut Portraits, which fused downtempo electronica with live instrumentation, followed by 2018’s Kingdoms in Colour, an album rich with global influences and field recordings. Over the years the duo has also collaborated on remixes for Fat Boy Slim, Lana Del Rey, Kelis, and others. After a seven-year hiatus, marked by Chris Davids’ battle with Chiari malformation (a rare neurological condition) and subsequent brain surgery, Maribou State returns with Hallucinating Love, an album that feels like both a reflection on the past and a step into something new.
Opening with “Blackoak”, the album sets an atmospheric foundation, drawing the listener in with a subtle but expansive energy. “Otherside”, featuring longtime collaborator Holly Walker, follows with a funky conga-driven beat, its melodies weaving in and out of shimmering production. Walker’s voice has always had an almost hypnotic quality when paired with Maribou State’s lush production, and here, it’s no different. “All I Need” features the ever-soulful Andreya Triana, her voice floating over deep basslines and warm synths. The track carries echoes of Bonobo’s warmth but with Maribou State’s unmistakable knack for groove. “Dance on the World” follows with a more upbeat, festival-ready energy—bouncing between percussive funk and woozy psychedelia. ”Bloom”, featuring Gaidaa, introduces a lush, almost meditative atmosphere, balancing intricate production with smooth, organic percussion work. “Peace Talk” reunites the duo with Holly Walker, offering another standout moment of hypnotic beauty before the record drifts into the airy, transportive textures of “Passing Clouds”. The album’s closer, “Rolling Stone,” feels like a moment of quiet triumph, a fitting conclusion to a record shaped by resilience and renewal. Built around airy synths and delicate arpeggiated guitars, the track’s warm textures and subtle grooves evoke a feeling of movement toward something brighter.
Maribou State could have disappeared during their hiatus, another electronic act lost to time. Instead, they’ve returned with a record that excitingly expands their sound. More than just a comeback, Hallucinating Love is a testament to the resilience of Maribou State. Their sound has evolved without losing its essence, channeling hardship into something immersive and profoundly affecting. The vinyl pressing of this album is particularly exceptional. The clean pressing on 140-gram recycled black vinyl allows the listener to experience all the subtlety of the production that went into this album. Whether you grab a copy on vinyl or stream it, Hallucination Love is worth listening to for any electronica fan.
