by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is an intriguing collaboration between the multi-skilled producer and instrumentalist Matthew Herbert, and drummer / vocalist Momoko Gill. Clay is the result of a musical relationship begun in 2024 with the song Fallen.

Typically for Herbert releases there are some intriguing sound sources involved, with live improvisation and sampling paired with the use of instruments ranging from kotos to basketballs. In the words of the Bandcamp commentary, “Clay treads nimbly between the dancefloor and the more introspective moods of the early hours”.

What’s the music like?

Intriguing at the very least, and often touching on the sweet spot between the end of the night and the start of the morning, capturing a rarefied set of sounds.

Gill’s pure voice conjures memories of Sade on occasion, and with sensitive and creative drumming proves the ideal foil to Herbert’s creative production. As the album progresses the songs only get better and more substantial.

Mowing is reminiscent of early Herbert, with its ‘kitchen sink’ percussion paired with a sonorous vocal, and so is Fallen Again, a particularly beautiful number. Drums and vocals – upper and lower registers – trade off to good effect on More And More, while the vocals dovetail nicely with minimal accompaniment on the short Heart.

Animals pairs flickering riffs from percussion and keyboard with the voice, but the longer songs are even more effective, developing in hypnotic fashion. Fallen Again is definitely one of those, while Circle Shore, by contrast, proves to be a thoughtful coda led by Gill’s drums.

Does it all work?

It does, though where you listen is key, as sometimes the level dips on headphones and the intricate production cannot be fully appreciated. When at their peak, though, Gill and Herbert are frequently compelling.

Is it recommended?

Yes. With such creative minds in play the results could never be less than interesting, and with Clay Matthew Herbert and Momoko Gill have created a bewitching and seductive album.

For fans of… Jamie Lidell, M J Cole, Roisin Murphy, Dani Siciliano

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,597 – Wednesday 16 July 2025