Matthew Herbert released ‘100 lbs’ in 1996, listen back to that now, and it still feels fresh, exciting and innovative - nearly 30 years on. And that’s what he does, and keeps on doing. Pushing the boundaries of sound and its endless possibilities. Not just for the sake of it though, the end product is rarely anything less than sublime. So, any new output from the man who has dabbled with as varied a spectrum of influences from big band to straight up house, was always going to be worth a listen. And guess what? ‘Clay’ is another unique and moving collection of special sounds.

Herbert has teamed up with a few top drawer vocal talents over the years, Dani Siciliano and Roisin Murphy for two. So it’s no surprise that this collaboration with Momoko Gill easily stands up in comparison. The two of them merge their experimental urges into eleven tracks that are deep yet accessible and totally esoteric.

Styles and tempos vary around a folk feel centre, with elements of jazz and soul thrown in for good measure. Take ‘Need to Run’, an alluring underbeat drives the song as Gill’s gossamer vocals harmonise in the spaces inbetween. ‘Mowing’ draws in some of Herbert’s trademark angularity, the offbeat skipping and warped atmosphere combining with those vocals again. ‘Heart’ is as spartan as it comes, simple harmonium backing and an interplay of singing that is pure emotion.

So much here deserves and merits repeated listens especially in varying environments, ‘Fallen Again’ could be the soundtrack to an afternoon of hedonism or the exploration of a more inner space. There’s some nods to the dancefloor, ‘Babystarr’ has a nagging (in a good way) hook that would melt the floor at around 5am. ‘Show Me’ brings in some bruk touches and hits with more urgency, showing some serious drum chops. Then there’s ‘Someone Like You’ a pure good vibes dance jazz shuffle that precedes the ardent soul-folk of ‘Circle Shore’. ‘Clay’ is a meeting of like minded souls where 1+1 can equal more than two.

'Clay' by Herbert & Momoko is out on Strut on 27 June 2025