Hatchet reporter Andrew Avrick shares his latest musical obsessions.
“Step“
Vampire Weekend
★★★★★
It’s difficult to listen to a Vampire Weekend track without smiling at least a little bit. Nothing is different with “Step,” one of the first tracks we’ve gotten to taste off their new album “Modern Vampires of the City,” set for a May 14 release that will send us back into their Columbia University dorm rooms. Filled with their usual soft charm, lead singer Ezra’s humble vocals flow between harpsichord notes. With a few scattered references to obscure rap songs, New York neighborhoods and ancient kings, the Vampire Weekend whimsy is always present. It’s clever, yet still genuinely emotional, hitting an admirable balance. Nothing here will shock you, but it’s clear that Vampire Weekend knows how to give us what we know and love.
“Voyeur“
James Blake
★★★★★
Fans of the 24-year-old producer/singer-songwriter’s self-titled debut will not be disappointed by the latest trickle of tracks from his imminent release, “Overgrown.” Singing over piano, the occasional chimes and an expertly placed mess of cut-and-distorted vocal samples, Blake repeatedly admits to us his flawed nature. Just as he did in songs like “I Never Learnt to Share,” Blake’s repetition of a phrase is manipulated differently over the course of the track. “I don’t mind, it was all me,” is soft and clear, but as the song progreses, he becomes increasingly strained and exasperated, fighting to sign over the mounting post-dubstep beats.
Captain Murphy
★★★★✩
Captain Murphy’s newest video off his debut mixtape, “Duality,” has just made its way onto YouTube. As the rapping alter ego of Flying Lotus, Murphy allows the producer to bring out his dark side. In “The Killing Joke,” he discusses his once anonymous persona, and what newfound fame means for his work. He samples and even directly references “The Dark Knight” in order to hammer in themes of multiple identity. He edits his voice, creating a schizophrenic back-and-forth between his personalities. The crackle of an old record, whispering ominous samples, scattered maniacal laughter and a hook taken from a Portuguese song about Satan, all give the track an uneasy sinister tone that isn’t common in the rap world. While this one isn’t his best (try out the Earl Sweatshirt featuring “Between Friends”), it helps to make the case that Flying Lotus’ rap project should definitely be taken seriously.
