Super techno/pop producer, and king of ambient, William Orbit returns for his first album in 8 years and perhaps his first intentionally poppy in a decade in a half in what might be the comeback of the year.  Multi layered and filled with the type of dance-floor-meets-chill-out-room textures of Orbits greatest pop moments, The Painter provides wickedly enticing sonic canvasses for numerous collaborators (Katie Melua, Beth Orton, Ali Love, etc) to layer interesting vocals and narratives on top of.  Always at his best when operating in the role of producer and serving others, the wonder of The Painter is not Orbit’s ability to craft ambient pop gems, it’s rather his skill in not needing to show off and steal the limelight.  You get the sense that pop’s big names will be knocking on his door very soon.