Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation [2LP]

Thievery Corporation turned up the political heat on Radio Retaliation, their 2008 album, back on double vinyl in a fresh pressing that gives its deep grooves plenty of room.

Rob Garza and Eric Hilton built their name in Washington, D.C. by blending dub, bossa nova, Indian sounds and downtempo electronics into a style that came to define a certain kind of cool. By the late 2000s they had more on their minds than cocktail hour, and this record channels frustration with war, corporate power and political apathy into music that still sways.

Opener "Sound the Alarm" sets out the mission with heavy bass and urgent rhythms, and the title track pulses with dubwise defiance. "Vampires" rides a hypnotic, Afrobeat-inspired groove that bites as hard as it bounces, while "El Pueblo Unido" takes its name from a famous protest chant and turns it into a smouldering rallying cry.

As always with Thievery, a rotating cast of guest vocalists from around the world keeps every track feeling distinct, without ever breaking the album's smoky, late-night flow.

It rewards loud listening and close attention in equal measure, ideal for anyone who wants their downtempo with a pulse and a conscience. Put it on, let the bass roll, and listen to what it has to say.