This album
calls for both fans and critics to forget all of their previously held notions
of dubstep. Those of you who believe
Skrillex is the epitome of the “abrasive” genre; you are in for quite a shock. And for those of you who value to true dub
influences, you are in for a treat like nothing you’ve heard before. His 2011 album, The Vision, was released on 4AD, but he has contributed and released
under Kode9’s Hyperdub label as well. He
started in Bristol, England around 2007-2008 and by 2009 he was said to be “king
of bass music”. The album features 12
tracks drawing from the dub, grime, and UK garage sounds.
The
introduction to the album is an atmospheric transportation to another
dimension. It sounds as if he uses
nothing but synths on this track, saving the bass for later. Joker is a master songwriter, and while he
uses lyrics infrequently, when he does they will blow you away. The second track on the album is his single, “Slaughterhouse”
which anxiously describes the tribulations of some cattle animal marching to
its death. It opens with a barren symbol
and bass beat, which is then complemented by feudal Japanese strings. The bass does not enter until he starts
singing, and serve as a ratification of his anger. He describes the “machines” and “knives” as
some kind of post-modern evil creations of man.
I’m more sympathetic for cows while listening to this song, than any animal-rights
activist has ever made me feel.
The
self-titled track features Jessie Ware who has also appeared on tracks with
SBTRKT. Her somber tone inflicts
emotional damage upon the listener; it’s beautiful. Joker artfully instructs the bass wobble on
this track to complement her message of a confused lover, “Can’t be without
you, see without you, breathe without you, feel without you, just let me
breathe.” “Level 6” is a funky interlude
reminiscent of some groovy late 1970’s non-hit you’d likely have heard in an
off-the-beaten-path gay club. The
follow-up, “My Trance Girl” is about the hardest he gets on this album,
throwing everything he’s got into this six minute explosion of sound.
It’s worth
a listen for anyone. Those inexperienced
or critical of the genre MUST listen to this is order to truly understand what
this type of music is all about. This
what I would call second wave dubstep, surfacing people like Sonny Moore and
Blackburner were still in their metalcore phase, not having tainted the public’s
opinion of dubstep.
Slaughterhouse- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=May5VaSKLvs
The Vision- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5ENYnxwIDI
My Trance Girl- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78jZj7aY1mY
No comments:
Post a Comment