Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Mike Cadoo returns as Dryft with his fifth album under the moniker, a mere 26 years after he started with Cell.

This is a follow up to From Stasis, released five years ago, and in the words of the press release we find Cadoo “presenting crisper, more immediate compositions”.

What’s the music like?

A compelling mixture of bold beats and dense yet beautifully ambient musical material.

Cadoo has a really strong sense of timing, knowing when to push forward with energetic rhythm tracks and equally when to introduce a weightless keyboard breakdown, without compromising forward momentum.

There is a great deal going on throughout Particle, but with Cadoo’s pacing the likes of Actacrume work especially well, this track dropping a piledriving rhythm just over two and a half minutes in.

Bentithrum is superb, adding weighty beats of concrete to its floated keyboard lines, while Particle itself is a magnificently brooding track, its big beats and expansive soundscape the ideal match. Low Fixture is great, too, with big musical boots on the ground.

Does it all work?

It does – Cadoo’s music evolves consistently and readily, with free inspiration, but remains an ambient listen in spite of some of its sharply pointed beats.

Is it recommended?

Yes, enthusiastically – with the caveat that you really should investigate the other four Dryft albums. This spacey treat goes a long way.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,836 – Tuesday 24 March 2026