A friend suggested I check out Emancipator’s Soon It Will Be Cold Enough a few months back, but I put it on the back-burner until recently. While browsing my feeds, I came across a song from the album that really hit the spot. Emancipator or Douglas Appling’s chilled-back, trip hop beats are steadily growing on me. I may not be an expert on the trip hop scene, but producers like this are moving me in the right direction.
The song that I mentioned above, as you probably figured out, is First Snow. Like a lot of the music I listen to, this song isn’t just for listening fun but seems to have a deeper meaning (yes, even without words). Another aspect I like about Appling’s music is how he switches up the tone in the middle of the track – a good example is at 3:00 in First Snow – similar to what DJ Frane does. I also found out, when researching the album, that it was mastered by Nujabes, a music legend for his jazzy/hip hop instrumentals. (R.I.P. Nujabes)
Alright, I’m off to listen to his latest album – Safe in the Steep Cliffs. Look this over and give me some input. What do you think the future for trip hop is?
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Download: First Snow
Emancipator Information:
Genre: Electronica, Trip Hop, Downtempo
Birth Name: Douglas Appling
Origin: Portland, Oregon
Label: extlabs
Albums: Soon It Will Be Cold Enough | Safe in the Steep Cliffs
Similar Artists: Bonobo | TM Juke | Pretty Lights | Little People | Blockhead
Links: EmancipatorMusic.com | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | BandCamp | Last.fm
First Snow Information:
Albums: Soon It Will Be Cold Enough
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Buy Links: iTunes
I am not going to sit here and pretend that 1. I am an avid trip hop listener or 2. That I am familiar enough with the genere to know where the future of it is going. What I can tell you is that the soothing sounds of some of the trip hop i have heard with the innovations of lyrics and cutting have made me a passive fan. I think this is a genre we will not see leave for a while.
This is the most refreshing thing I’ve heard this week, just picked up the whole Emancipator record, SO GOOD
mate this is sooooo DJ Shadow its unbelievable! Not necessarily a bad thing buuuut……..
Haha, I feel that. Someone needs to take over when he retires… :)
Haha, it’s funny you say that. A promotor for DJ Shadow just contacted me about reviewing Shadow’s upcoming remix. I knew it was because of this post! They definitely have a similar sound.
@Anthony – yea, I love the album the more I listen to it… “When I Go” first hooked me.
Hehe, the Internet is WATCHING
When I Go, is pretty Frou Frou
Haha, good call. Love my female vocals (especially in downtempo/trip hop). You heard of TM Juke? You might like him.
[...] The song that I mentioned above, as you probably figured out, is First Snow. Like a lot of the music I listen to, this song isn’t just for listening fun but seems to have a deeper meaning (yes, even without words). Another aspect I like about Appling’s music is how he switches up the tone in the middle of the track – a good example is at 3:00 in First Snow – similar to what DJ Frane does. – Silence No Good [...]
My boyfriend and I listened to “First Snow” last night. We were trying to figure it out. I came to see if I can find the lyrics – and I thought this person’s post was thoughtful. I too like the way, around 3:02 Appling switches the tone up – it’s quite beautiful. I will check out DJ Frane and Nujakes also DJ Shadow and TM Juke…”When I go”.. Thank you.
Thanks, Myrn, for the comment. It was good to hear how you felt about the song as well – still love the change up.
Definitely make sure to check them all out. I promise they won’t disappoint!