If PEEKABOO’s 2023 debut Eyes Wide Open was a statement of intent, cementing his status as a heavyweight in the low-end frequencies, then his sophomore LP, Are We Dreaming?, is the sound of an artist mastering his craft. Released today, Friday, January 23, the 13-track project sees Matthew Lucas taking the distinct, alien sound design that defines him and scaling it up into a vivid, multi-coloured world that seamlessly integrates UK garage, techno, and American bass music.
The album’s lead-up showcased this massive scope, particularly with the frenetic energy of the final single ‘Answer All My Prayers’ with Nitepunk, Lyny, Sayak Das and Nick Smith. Now that the full project is available to stream, it is clear Lucas has built upon his foundation rather than abandoning it. Tracks like ‘Pump It Up’, a high-octane collaboration with UK bassline royalty Flava D and Scrufizzer, and the jungle-inflected ‘Loco’ with Sully, demonstrate how naturally his sound adapts to new tempos and rhythms.
The production on Are We Dreaming? feels lush and cinematic, designed to work as a cohesive listening experience while retaining the grit fans expect. ‘Old School’, featuring dubstep veteran BadKlaat and grime legend P Money, serves as a devastating reminder of Lucas’s roots in heavy bass. Meanwhile, the long-awaited ‘6 Million’, a massive link-up with Skrillex, Flowdan, and Fireboy DML, anchors the album with a star-studded moment of cross-continental brilliance.
The release arrives just ahead of a major North American headline tour that promises to translate this “dreamlike” aesthetic to the stage. With support acts like Caspa and borne joining him, the live show is expected to highlight the album’s futurism.
For fans who have followed PEEKABOO from the underground to the main stage, Are We Dreaming? feels like a natural evolution. Lucas has delivered a sophomore record that honours his history while pushing his sonic boundaries to their absolute limit.