Thundercat- “Is It Love?” [The Golden Age of the Apocalypse, 2011 on Brainfeeder]
The Golden Age of the Apocalypse Album Review part 1 of 2
This track bears gifts for a dangerously funk-deprived world. Whatever you want to call it, futuristic or spaced fusion or jazz dream, Golden Age of the Apocalypse spells progress for jazz funk. There’s a pretty solid chance that at some point soon you’ll catch yourself (or your dad) grooving to it.
It is said that each soul-projection on this planet perceives only a certain amount of production wizardry, but this record may make you doubt that.
On his debut album The Golden Age of Apocalypse, Thundercat is braver than most wizards I have known. Thundercat is bass-playing Los Angeles bass-playing virtuoso Stephen Bruner, aka Thundercat, who has evidently consumed quite a few extra helpings of fusion in his time.
“I do believe that hip-hop can be quite frenetic,” says Bruner. On this track, “Is it Love?”, a dreamy melody and a steady beat create a very subtle and beautiful sky, dancing with crystalline pastels, making you reach slowly for the next sweet fix of something new and undiscovered. On this track, heavy reverb and smooth chromatic tones together produce lots of noodles.
Thundercat- “For Love I Come” [The Golden Age of the Apocalypse, 2011 on Brainfeeder]
The Golden Age of the Apocalypse Album Review part 2 of 2
Does anyone remember the last decade. The Golden Age of the Apocalypse is out of this century. Entering Thundercat’s world may make you believe in jazz after jazz.
Thundercat’s song-writing is sublimely turned up for the bulk of this future feature. After several listens I still think it feels like a gang of stoned aliens bellowing unfocused synergy into the stratosphere.
Thundercat is given a helping hand by Flying Lotus, whose computations you can hear throughout this album. But despite the strength of FlyLo’s influence, Thundercat obviously knows his own way through the portal of extraterrestrial experience.
With his debut effort Thundercat joins the ranks of many California mind-manipulation masters. You will be encouraged and controlled perfectly. We hope you will enjoy this dense mindsuck, “For Love I Come,” as your speakers spill airy electro-funk onto marbled floors… Stellar work.
Music video: White Car- “No Better” [2010]
Video by sunsetcorp (Daniel Lopatin of Games and Ford & Lopatin and other projects including Oneohtrix Point Never)
G-Side- “Cinematic” [Island, 2011 on g-side.bandcamp.com]
Island Album Review
In 1120, a pre-deluge text of prophecy was written by the amazing Block Beataz and G-Side (two rappers from Huntsville, Alabama: Stephan “ST 2 Lettaz” Harris and Yung “David Williams” Clova). At certain points of linear time on this planet, specific star paths become activated. Lots of people build their own lane, to take their own path toward stardom. G-Side has set their sights on that very goal. They toured Norway three times — and on Island, one hears more of their astronomical success.
In 1940 Huntsville was as flat as can be, but by the time of Island’s release one can hear how the landscape had changed. On “Cinematic” we hear the underground, tectonic current that is the motor of this motion: the timeless desire to escape monotony. It’s all very exciting, and ST and Clova go hard on every track. Even Clova’s car is a very good lyricist.
All 15 tracks come with an outstanding hook, some nasty verses, and a matter-of-fact thud. Slow Motion Soundz did it again. We won’t even suggest that you go buy it because by now you’ll already be doing so.
See also: an excellent mixtape curated by G-Side
Tim Hecker- “(They call me) Jimmy” [Radio Amor, 2003 on Mille Plateaux]
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib- “Thuggin’” [Thuggin’ EP, 2011 on Madlib Invazion]
Very, very exciting collaboration. The Thuggin’ EP can be purchased here. Apparently we can expect an album’s-worth of collaboration between these two legends in the first quarter of 2012.
Cabaal- “SOMA” [Light Pollution, 2011 on cabaal.bandcamp.com]
Download this track or the five tracks of Light Pollution for free on cabaal.bandcamp.com.
Music Video: G-Side and Sinden- “G Like Me” [2011]
Music Video: Flaming Lips & Lightning Bolt- “I’m Working at NASA on Acid” [2011]
(Source: youtube.com)
Autre Ne Veut- “Your Clothes” [Body EP, 2011 on Hippos in Tanks]
Body EP Review
Warning: this stuff is out there. The Body will fully come alive as you listen to “Your Clothes”.
You probably wouldn’t refer to the point of abstraction, all wetness and shapeshifters, as discontented synths weep below ANV’s wilted voice. But then the song snakes around and trains the viewport on the grotesque.
It’s scary man, simulation life that I was hearing. Oh god, I was startled and confounded. Take a moment to listen or even sing along.
