When electronic musician and producer Jon Hopkins released Immunity in 2013, there was a noticeable change in his work. He continued his ever polished electronic productions, but he increasingly incorporated disjointed techno rhythms with the accompanying Eno-esque atmospherics. On Asleep Versions, Hopkins shuns the beats and focuses on work more suitable for bedtime listening -- hence the title -- than a club setting, with subtle and tranquil versions of four tracks also featured on Immunity. The recordings were made at the Sundlaugin Studio just outside of Reykjavik -- made famous by Sigur Rós -- and perhaps their ethereal and minimalist aesthetics rubbed off on him. The recording is made as one long 25-minute piece, its individual tracks blending into one another seamlessly with reverb trails at the end of each track running into the next. Asleep Versions presents a consistent feeling, with stripped-back tracks featuring short piano motifs and melodies on beds of almost holy vocals. The release of the first two singles, "Breathe the Air" and "We Disappear" (which include vocals from Purity Ring and Lulu James, respectively), between Asleep Versions and Immunity was perhaps a precursor of what was to come. When listening, those versions bring a different emotive feeling, with the vocals being the main focus and perhaps distracting from the original feelings within the music. There is a feeling throughout that, at points, these tracks are lacking somewhat from the impressive Immunity, finding yourself waiting for the shuffling rhythmic drums to kick in. That said, this EP is beautifully crafted and, once again, with fantastic production. ~ James Pearce, Rovi

1		Immunity
2		Form by Firelight
3		Breathe This Air [Asleep Version]
4		Open Eye Signal [Asleep Version]

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