Moby – Play (2xLP)

Play, released in May 1999, is Moby’s fifth studio album and marks his leap into wide recognition by merging electronic production with roots and blues-based samples. Recorded largely in his home studio in Manhattan, the album juxtaposes ambient, downtempo, breakbeat, and techno elements with field recordings collected by Alan Lomax and others. Its sequencing moves from more energetic tracks toward moments of introspective calm, evoking both momentum and quiet reflection. Play arrived at a moment when electronic music was increasingly embraced in mainstream pop culture, and it rode a wave of sync licensing to broaden its reach beyond dancefloor audiences.

Standout tracks such as “Honey,” “Natural Blues,” “Porcelain,” and “Run On” combine emotive sampling, harmonic depth, and precise production to achieve emotional resonance. The record’s success depended as much on its musical inventiveness as on its extensive licensing in films, television, and commercials—an approach that helped sustain its commercial momentum long after release. Over time, Play has been lauded as one of the most influential electronic albums of the late ’90s and early 2000s, redefining how electronic and roots traditions could dialogue in popular music culture.

Reviews

"Moby shows himself back in the groove after a long hiatus, balancing his sublime early sound with the breakbeat techno evolution of the '90s." – AllMusic

“The ebb and flow of eighteen concise, contrasting cuts writes a story about Moby’s beautifully conflicted interior world while giving the outside planet beats and tunes on which to groove.” – Rolling Stone

“Play’s best moments are 100% Moby … the album offers only one intriguing listen … fun and functional, yet disposable.” – Pitchfork