Available for download on Pause - here.

Where to begin?

Well, how about I say that I absolutely adore ???. I can name my top 3 artists (I’m not going to) and ??? is without a doubt in there. I mean, come on… Every song he produces is amazing!

I’ve identified three key elements that set him apart from almost all other artists out there:

• Unbelievable sound design.
• Outstanding song craftsmanship.
• Fun, plain and simple.

Let me expand on these and elaborate on what you will find with this release.

Sound design
From the start we are treated to oodles of dub, groove, and beautiful, playful melodies that at times utilise not only both pulse channels (as you might expect) but even take over the wave channel. At the same time though, a background of rhythmical clicks, hits, and claps are all cleverly crafted on the noise channel. Arpeggios thrill up and down the scales to interesting scales and rhythms, or plod along like the ghosts of dead Rastafarians in the background. Plinky, delicate melodies sit on thick, bulbous baselines. Cheeky, groovy claps and hats dance with chunky snares.
And not a single sound is too loud or invasive. It all fits together like granny’s 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

Craftsmanship
As an artist myself I can thoroughly (and jealously) appreciate the way each track progresses, builds, and succeeds in painting complex and beautifully full pictures. Full being the keyword. No track takes too long to build, keeps the same sound set from the start, bores the listener, or seems incomplete. A real feat, and one that I admire and look up to (again, very jealously!)

Fun
??? throws in succulent sound effects, bouncy, bloopy melodies, sudden, wild groove changes, bridges, verses, choruses… you name it! Each track is sickeningly sweet without being classically chip-cheesy. If it can be done on a gameboy, you’ll find it here. There’s no pretentiousness, but this album is definitely serious.

Although I have been listening to chip for a while, potentially blurring my judgement and giving me a bias, I would go out on a limb and say that I think this release has huge crossover potential to non-chip fans. What’s your opinion? Let me know.

Fully recommended release and (although only January) could be album of the year for me. It’s gonna take a lot to best this.

Recommended track:
Come on… You really want me to choose one?! ALL of them, baby!