The Invisible - Patience

They might not always appear in full view, but chances are The Invisible have had some sort of sway over your music consumption over the past decade. They’ve not been hacking your Spotify account and meddling with your playlists or anything like that, but their impact has been far-reaching, working or playing with the likes of Adele, Grace Jones, Beck, St. Vincent, Roots Manuva, Paloma Faith – names that merely pick at the surface of their sphere. ‘Patience’ sees The Invisible reclaim the spotlight with their most feel-good record to date, sounding more free, accomplished and deliberate than ever before.

‘Patience’ is built around the idea that time is the absolute necessity when it comes to healing problems. Following the near-fatal electrocution of singer Dave Okumo whilst on stage in Lagos, it communicates the band’s rejuvenated appreciation of the value of life. “I know how I feel / Never been so clear / So sure about myself”, sings Okumo on lead single ‘Save You’ – a snapshot that captures a gracious sense of self-assuredness defining every step of this return.

On its announcement, the number of guest spots on ‘Patience’ was a clear attention-grabber. Over its nine tracks Jessie Ware, Anna Calvi, Connan Mockasin, Rosie Lowe and Floating Points all make contributions, but ‘Patience’ keeps a grip on its own identity. With such a host of dazzling voices, it must have been tempting to hand the guests the reins, but their input is always taken within the context of the wider piece; Okumo’s own distinctively delicate drawl permeating through the other voices. The Floating Points influence is a tad more apparent on ‘Memories’, with its shuffling rhythm a staple of many Sam Shepherd productions, but such an impression is hardly detrimental.

It’s been four years since the band’s previous album ‘Rispah’. That period of self-reflection and resulting new energy is presented beautifully here, and despite the mantra of patience, is delivered with a sense of immediacy. Not in the massive-hook-smashing-you-in-the-face kinda way, but it’s the sort of record that’s affecting from the moment you hit play – euphoric even in its more reserved moments. With the record’s flow undulating without ever lulling, The Invisible flex the full scope of their ambition across its nine tracks, rolling their ear for instrumental intricacy and lush arrangements i to a delectable ball of pop complexity.