On Dec. 8, Bonobo released the single “Break Apart” featuring Rhye. The single’s release comes about a month before Bonobo’s next album Migration is due to come out on Jan. 13. Bonobo’s aesthetic ear and Milosh of Rhye’s easing vocals make for an enveloping collaboration. The gentleness of the song is invigorating, like you’ve just jumped into an ice cold lake and reawakened all of your senses.
“Break Apart” is about a relationship that is falling apart which the vocalist is taking the blame for. The song starts with static and jumps into a solemn melody. The melody and arrangement allow us to drift through hurt and confusion with Milosh who vocally emits pain and adoration for the lover he is losing. The vocals float through the song following the direction the instrumentation takes them in. Milosh has a way of making his vocals the only thing on the listener’s mind while he tells his story. Bonobo’s poignant arrangement has an equal effect, making “Break Apart” highly entrancing, in an almost treacherous way. “Break Apart” wraps you up and doesn’t let go until the last beat.
The single is a meaningful collaboration for both Bonobo and Rhye. Milosh’s vocals perfectly solidify Bonobo’s instrumental message, and vice versa. Migration will undoubtedly be a success for Bonobo if the rest of the album has the same emotional capacity as “Break Apart.”