A View of U

エレクトロニック・ミュージック界の最も輝かしいスター - DJ Mag
Bonobo、DJ Rashad、Diplo、Goldieといったトップ・アーティスト達から支持される奇才Machinedrumが最新アルバムをリリース!!

ノースカロライナ州出身、現在はLAを拠点に活動するプロデューサーTravis Stewartによるソロ・プロジェクト、Machinedrumの9作目となる本作。
IDM、UKレイブ、ジャングル、フットワーク、ベース・ミュージックをUSのヒップホップやクラブミュージックのスタイルと融合させた内容となっている。
現行USヒップホップの影響を感じられるビートにFreddi Gibbsのハードコアなラップが載った先行配信曲のM3、Machinedrum特有のサンプル使いが映えるM8、ドラム&ベースを代表するプロデューサー、Sub Focusとの相性抜群なコラボレーションとなるM9など、キラーチューン満載な計11曲を収録。
Coldplayのビジュアルを手がけたことで知られるPilar Zetaによるアートワークにも注目。
コラボレーターとしてSub Focus、Chrome Sparks、Father (Awful Records)、Freddie Gibbs、Mono/Poly (Brainfeeder)、Tigran Hamasyan、Jesse Boykins III、Rochelle Jordan、Tanerelleといった豪華な面々が参加。

Travis Stewarts music moved in a futuristic pop direction throughout much of the 2010s, particularly with his production work for Dawn Richard and Azealia Banks as well as his ongoing collaboration with Jimmy Edgar, JETS. His first full-length as Machinedrum since 2016s Human Energy is less hyperkinetic or sugary than that album, but just as inventive, and ultimately a bit stronger overall. While Stewarts music always fuses elements of multiple genres and regional dance music scenes, drumnbass and hip-hop seem to be the most prominent guiding forces of the album, partially returning to the producers roots, but still creating something new. Theres also less vocal manipulation, with none of the pitch-shifted R&B samples that had been common throughout club music during the 2010s. The tracks generally contain lush, harp-like textures and spiraling melodies as well as intricate, sometimes hard-hitting beats, producing an otherworldly effect that reflects the albums theme relating to out-of-body experiences. The U in the albums title refers to the universe, and Stewart relates his creative process to his meditation practices, where time seems to stop and he forgets who and where he is. Rochelle Jordan sings Ive been dreaming, dont wake me up on opener The Relic, which builds with an aggressive footwork rhythm and filthy bass before reaching a peaceful bridge filled with heavenly strings. Kane Train is one of Stewarts most straightforward hip-hop productions to date, with pounding bass, knocking beats, and atmospheric details underpinning Freddie Gibbs determined, effortlessly skilled raps. Sleepy Pietro is more experimental, with Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan providing sparkling melodies over a beat that morphs from a 4/4 house thump to more agitated drumnbass skittering. More beat trickery is on display during tracks like Believe in U, a jagged hip-hop banger that manages to sneak in some hyper-speed jungle breaks and dreamy guitars. Adventurous drumnbass producer Sub Focus guests on 1000 Miles, which punctuates an icy pool of ethereal pianos and angelic vocals with deep, explosive breaks. The album concludes with Ur2yung, a hyped-up, filter-heavy variation on golden-age beatmaking made bittersweet by its ghostly vocal sample. ~ Paul Simpson

デビュー20周年の節目にリリースする通算9作目。今回はサブ・フォーカスやジェシー・ボイキンス3世、クローム・スパークス、ティグラン・ハマシアンら多数のゲストを迎え、IDMやUKレイヴを軸にジャングルやフットワーク、トラップなどを採り入れた独自の世界をさらに推進している。フレディ・ギブスのハードコアなラップとネタ感のあるサンプルが耳に刺さる"Kane Train"など、キャリア史上もっともポップな仕上がりだ。
bounce (C)藤堂てるいえ