It's been a week since my last post, apologies! My life has been quite busy with work, job applications, and trying to get ready for my trip to New York next week; so as you can guess/see I haven't found time to sit down and listen to, then write about music with a critical ear (if that is what I want to call it?). So in the meantime, I present to you Smoke & Synth 0.03, which is a small glimpse into the songs (old and new) that have been getting me through the past month.
P.s. BANKS, Bon Iver, Regina Spektor, and many others are all releasing new albums tomorrow! *Geeking out so hard right now*
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Having just won the Polaris Music Prize, Canada’s equivalent of the UK’s Mercury Prize, Kaytranada has released a new 90 minute mixtape entitled 0.001%, which he describes as being “strictly for Kaytranada fans.” This may sound exclusive, but don’t be deterred; if you are someone who appreciates seemingly effortless hip-hop production, you will be impressed by the flow of this laid-back mixtape. It begins with distorted screams and howls (echoing 0.001), which soon fade into the background as one of the many instrumental interludes comes to the forefront. These moments frame remixes and guest vocals as well as feature a myriad of sounds, which include but aren't limited to smooth bass lines, heavy percussion, and bubbling synths.
The mixtape is available to download via soundcloud, but if you aren’t into that, you can listen below:
P.s. Be sure to check out Kaytranada’s 99.9% as well. It has a been a little over a week since Bastille have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Wild World — their second number one in the UK (their first being their debut, Bad Blood, back in 2013) — and needless to say it has been more than worth the wait. Unlike Bad Blood, which front-man Dan Smith told to NME was “slightly looking back a bit […], Lynchian […], [and had] retro film noir vibes,” Wild World is more grounded in the “slightly sterile, dystopian” world of the present. A theme — more apparent in the band’s 1984-esq WWCOM headquarters pop-up shops than the album itself — which influences, but does not mask Smith's intimate and introspective 19 track look into the relationships that form and shape the world around us.
Sticking true to the band’s cinematic nature, Wild World can be thought of as a soundtrack to a film that only exists within Bastille’s imagination. It seamlessly incorporates media ranging anywhere from Truman Capote’s 1966 true crime novel, In Cold Blood, to a brilliantly weird film about nerds creating their ideal woman (Weird Science). However, these sound bites simply serve as framing devices to Smith’s narratives, which delve into the human psyche; and more specifically the way in which we deal with the invisible pressures that surround us. Whether it be searching for psychical distraction in the face of disconcerting news (“Warmth”) or struggling to deal with the inevitability of aging (“Winter Of Our Youth”), each track speaks to a different way of coping with the utterly chaotic world. This point is reenforced by the wide range of influences and sounds which shaped the album, such as the dulcet tone of Simon & Garfunkel and the cutting edge hip-hop production of Kanye West. It’s an anachronistic story that on the surface is disorientating, but reveals itself as innately familiar as one sifts through the triumphant and meticulous production. We are all aware of it even if we don’t recognize it: we are living (despite it all). How a “pop" band can sell existentialism to the masses stems from Bastille’s uncanny ability to cleverly subvert emotions under the gauze of ironic production, such as euphoric and upbeat songs about grief (“Good Grief”) to subdued and melancholic verses about a comedic sex blog (“Oil On Water”). The delivery may be strange for some, but it speaks more to what Bastille is trying to do as a band: challenge people's perceptions of pop music (if that is even possible in a world where genre is becoming less of a be-all-end-all). At the end of the day, Wild World is an album that owes itself to the warranted selfishness of band who couldn’t give a f'ck about what others think. It is a piece of modern art in the digital age created by someone who is trying to piece together and comment on the society in which we live. Euphoric, depressive, and hopeful, it offers a glimpse into human existence; and personally, I think there is something so utterly beautiful knowing that there are people who understand how difficult and wonderful it is to live in this wild world of ours. Wild World is available to purchase on all formats across the internet.
Quick life update: The interview was the equivalent of showing up to a party wearing an outfit completely outside the dress code, e.g. like wearing full on Babadook makeup to a dinner party (you know the picture…)
Thankfully there has been plenty of new music from some of my favorite artists to drown out the anxiety I feel towards all future interviews. Here are some of these tunes below: 33 "GOD" - Bon Iver 33 "GOD" is the third song released from Bon Iver's highly anticipated and enigmatic new album, 22, A Million, slated to be released September 30th. The foundation of the song is seen in the form of glistening piano upon which layers of wobbling synth, whirling tones, and thunderous percussion are added. With each additional layer, you feel as though you are ascending higher to a heaven that Iver himself has created. Listen below: Swim - Dan Croll Although no official word on when we should expect a new album, Dan Croll has teased fans with his new single, "Swim." Starting off with dark cosmic synths and a steady downbeat, the tune quickly flows into the dulcet tones of Croll's voice, which inquires if his lover is willing to "explore the depths that he is willing to take." The whole vibe is sensual with undercurrents of the summery percussion to which we were acquainted on his debut, Sweet Disarray. Send Them Off! - Bastille On Wednesday Bastille premiered their new UK single, "Send Them Off!" as Annie Mac's Hottest Record on BCC Radio 1. Frontman Dan Smith describes the song as a "bombastic, swaggering hip-hop track," which "[scratches] the kind of the old-school Kanye itch" he has been harboring. Don't worry, though, the track still contains that ever present depression and pessimism (found in the form of unfounded jealousy) that we have grown to love from this band. Their eagerly anticipated second album, Wild World, will be released September 9th and is available for preorder on most formats. (N.B.: NEXT WEEK!!!!!!) Blood On Me - Sampha Produced by Sampha himself (with a little added finesse from Rodiadah McDonald), "Blood On Me" weaves a tail of a man-on-edge, whose anxiety stems from figures shrouded in "grey hoodies." The track opens with hiccuping harmonies which quickly give rise to a cowbell beat and an ominous backing that reenforce the suspense apparent in Sampha's raw breathy vocals. Sampha's next release will be that of his debut album Process, but if you want more in the meantime, then I recommend checking out "Timmy's Prayer" and a personal favorite "Too Much." Signal - SOHN Released yesterday SOHN's latest track, "Signal," drips with dark synths and reverberating vocals that result in an effortless flow so apparent in his previous releases. It has moments throughout built to bring tension to a boil, which can either leave the listener confused or at peace. Could this single be indication of a new album on the horizon or are we just left with a one-off jam? |