7/10

Since the early 1990s, Beck has proven himself to be a consistent and uncompromising shapeshifter of an artist. Regularly throwing caution to the wind, his catalogue to date has been a wild mix of anything from humbling, acoustic-led serenades to full on brass and electronic fanfare, making him one of the most diverse acts to ever grace the Earth. But while his previous full-length 'Colors' saw him venture down the pop road once again, it seems he is keen to continue that aesthetic as he returns with 'Hyperspace', a bold and yet minimal take on the commercial Beck sound.

Produced by the ever-impressive Pharrell Williams and featuring guest acts such as Sky Ferreira, Chris Martin, Paul Epworth and Greg Kurstin, 'Hyperspace' has got to be one of his more ambitious collections on paper, but on the surface seems to have trouble showcasing itself. While 'Colors' was packed to the brim with grand and euphoric numbers, this new record seems to prefer keeping itself as basic as possible as he swoons and struts his way through an easy-to-digest LP, filled with eclectic ideas that seem to suit his style, but not engage as well as they should.

That is not to say that 'Hyperspace' isn't an enjoyable release, but compared to what we have become used to in recent years, this seems to have less imagination than his previous work. Uplifting and joyous when it wants to be, Beck continues to deliver some genuinely impressive cuts, but not every time.