Kidsticks

Released in 2016, Kidsticks represents the most significant sonic shift in Beth Orton's discography since her emergence in the 1990s. Moving away from the 'folktronica' label she helped pioneer, Orton relocated to California and began composing on synthesizers rather than guitar. The resulting album, co-produced with Andrew Hung of Fuck Buttons, is a loop-driven exploration of art pop and electronica. The recording process was experimental, involving contributions from indie stalwarts like Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) and George Lewis Jr. (Twin Shadow), which added layers of complex percussion and bass. Critically, the album was praised for its boldness and reinvention, though some noted a 'monochromatic' quality to the vocal delivery that matched the synth-heavy arrangements. It stands as a document of creative liberation, trading the comfort of folk structures for the unpredictability of electronic improvisation.