Conservative Apocalypse

Released in 2016, 'Conservative Apocalypse' represents a mature, darker evolution of James Braddell's Funki Porcini project. While his early work on Ninja Tune helped define the playful, sample-heavy 'nu jazz' sound of the 1990s, this album leans heavily into ambient and experimental territories. The title itself suggests a biting social commentary, which is reflected in track titles like 'Kings Road Tesco Express' and 'Balfron Tower,' grounding the surrealist electronics in a very specific British reality. The production is characterized by a sophisticated use of field recordings and digital manipulation, creating a 'dark ambient' atmosphere that is more claustrophobic than his previous outings. Critically, it is seen as a return to form that avoids nostalgia, instead using the tools of downtempo to explore contemporary anxieties about urban life and social decay. It stands as one of the most cohesive and tonally consistent works in his later discography.