Disclosure

Disclosure's fourth album, Alchemy, represents a return to their core sound. Stripped back to its essence, the album features no guest artists, samples, or label involvement, and the brothers, Guy and Howard Lawrence, have opted out of an immediate tour. The focus is purely on their creative partnership.

Alchemy embodies a newfound artistic freedom. It's a bold collection of dance tracks that pushes the boundaries of their signature style. Guy's production spans diverse sonic landscapes, from jungle rhythms and trance-inspired synths to high-energy four-on-the-floor beats. Howard's songwriting shines, showcasing his refined melodic sensibilities and more prominent vocal presence. "This album celebrates our current liberation," Guy explains. "We're independent, we're not touring, and we have complete creative control."

However, Alchemy is more than just a sonic exploration; it's a deeply personal reflection of the brothers' contrasting experiences during its creation. While Guy embraced newlywed life in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, Howard grappled with heartbreak and the exhaustion of a lengthy tour. The album's title, Alchemy, captures this duality. "It was about transforming pain into something beautiful," Howard reflects. "We wanted to channel those difficult emotions into art."

This emotional range permeates the music. Tracks like the exhilarating "Sunshowers" and the upbeat "Simply Won't Do" are full of warmth and energy. Yet, Howard's poignant vocals add a layer of bittersweetness, as heard in "A Little Bit." The album's intimacy is enhanced by field recordings and interludes—guitar snippets, the sounds of a pet, an airport announcement—lending a diaristic, narrative feel. "Our previous albums were written in the third person," Guy notes. "This time, our songs are directly about our lives."

The album's genesis followed the conclusion of the ENERGY tour. Howard, briefly living in Los Angeles, began sketching out ideas with collaborators Max Margolis and DonnyBravo. Guy then immersed himself in these demos before adding his own touches. This process reversed, with Guy developing his own sketches, including an early version of "Higher Than Ever Before" (co-written with Cirkut), before Howard contributed. The album was finalized in London.

This collaborative approach echoes their early work on Settle, albeit with the benefit of their accumulated experience. "With our last album, the focus was on perfecting the finished product," Howard explains. "This time, it was on the initial spark of creation." The album art also connects past and present. A tapestry by Llinos Owen, depicting the brothers on Los Angeles's Lexington Avenue, marks their first appearance on an album cover since Settle.

Disclosure's journey began in 2010 with their debut single, "Offline Dexterity." Today, Guy is 32 and Howard is 29. Their discography includes Settle (2013), Caracal (2015), and ENERGY (2020). They have amassed over 11 billion streams, sold over seven million albums, and collaborated with artists like Sam Smith, Lorde, and The Weeknd. Their live performances have taken them to iconic venues and festivals worldwide, including Madison Square Garden, Glastonbury, Coachella, and Bonnaroo.