Other meanings of Dark matter
Music
Dark Matter is the debut studio album by British electronic music duo CamelPhat, released on 14 February 2020 by RCA Records. The album features collaborations with artists such as Yannis Philippakis of Foals, Noel Gallagher, and Jake Bugg, and blends house, techno, and melodic electronic styles.
CamelPhat, consisting of Dave Whelan and Mike Di Scala, began working on Dark Matter in 2018, following the success of their hit single "Cola" (with Elderbrook) in 2017. The album was recorded in various studios across the UK and Ibiza, with the duo aiming to create a cohesive body of work that reflected their DJ sets and production style. They collaborated with a range of vocalists and musicians, including Yannis Philippakis of Foals on "Breathe", Noel Gallagher on "Not Over Yet", and Jake Bugg on "Be Someone". The recording process involved experimenting with analog synthesizers and live instrumentation to achieve a warm, organic sound.1
The album's sound is characterized by deep house and melodic techno, with influences from 1990s electronic music. Tracks like "Hypercolour" (featuring Yannis Philippakis) and "Deeper" (with ARTBAT) showcase driving basslines and ethereal vocals, while "Cola" (included as a bonus track) remains a club anthem. Lyrically, the album explores themes of introspection, love, and escapism, often set against nocturnal backdrops. Critics noted the album's cohesive production and its ability to translate from club to home listening.
Dark Matter was released on 14 February 2020 via RCA Records. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, with praise for its production quality and guest features. The album peaked at number 87 on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 1 on the UK Dance Albums Chart. It also charted in several European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands. The lead single "Breathe" (with Yannis Philippakis) was released in 2019 and became a top 20 hit on the UK Dance Chart.
The standard edition of Dark Matter contains 15 tracks, including collaborations with ARTBAT, Ali Love, and Jem Cooke. Notable tracks include "Hypercolour", "Be Someone", and "Not Over Yet", the latter being a cover of the 1992 hit by Grace. The album's deluxe edition added remixes and live versions. The track "Cola" was originally released in 2017 and became a global hit, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2018.
Despite its commercial success, Dark Matter is notable for its hidden gem "Speak to Me", a collaboration with British singer-songwriter Jem Cooke, which was not released as a single but became a fan favorite. The album's artwork, designed by British artist Dan Hillier, features a surreal, Victorian-inspired illustration that reflects the duo's interest in the occult and the unknown. Additionally, the track "In My Head" was originally written for a film soundtrack but was repurposed for the album. The duo also released an instrumental version of the album, titled Dark Matter (Instrumentals), which is less well-known but appreciated by DJs for its versatility.2
Dark Matter solidified CamelPhat's position as leading figures in the UK electronic music scene. The album's success helped popularize melodic techno in the mainstream, influencing a wave of producers. It was nominated for the 2020 DJ Mag Best of British Award for Best Album, and its tracks have been streamed over 500 million times collectively. The album's collaborative approach, blending indie and electronic artists, set a template for future crossover projects in dance music.3
All chart positions and sales figures are based on official sources as of the album's release period.
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