Post by emancipatorfan on Nov 30, 2011 16:39:51 GMT -5
I discovered DJ, producer Emancipator last winter and from then on he has been one of my favorite electronic producers. As a 19-year-old college student he released his debut album “Soon It Will Be Cold Enough” (2006), which was little known in the United States but gained widespread support in Japan. His sound is organic and ambient with deep, clean bass. Rolling Stone discovered him when one of his songs played at the Beijing Olympics. While I listen to his debut album regularly, Technosonics has helped me to understand the production side of his music even more.
“Soon It Will Be Cold Enough” is largely a concept album, with very few vocal samples. The first highlight for me on the album is “When I Go” which blends sweeping, modulated synthesizers, a slow rhythm guitar and delicate off-key vocal samples from Thao Nguyen. Smooth percussion in the verse and chorus accompanies these elements. The song is so smooth, and almost uncanny as the listener finds himself out of context. Emancipator is creating a new genre of music, trip-hop with a more organic feel. It is a composition of raw elements. “Anthem” gives the impression of being outside, again using sweeping synthesizers, a catchy drumbeat, violin and piano. He tops the piece off with a violin hook that will leave you coming back for more. While there are no lyrics, his use of synthesizers makes the music call out to you as if there were. His music is more emotional than intellectual, fueled by a mood that resonates throughout the entire album.
This album sets the prefect mood for early winter. As intended, the music makes you want to bundle up for the cold. One of the more experimental songs, “First Snow” blends synthesizers, a old, scratchy audio sample (possibly tape recorder music), and near the end, a speaker explaining his winter dress. On this track, you appreciate how clean his drums are; they beat in a softer way than most. Emancipator explains that these drum beats are composed using the same “oneshots,” which we used in class. Onehots are one-second recordings, which are then overlaid and manipulated with effects to produce the finished beat. I realized how much time goes into producing a simple piece using Garageband or Audacity, and now more than ever appreciate his incredible production. He describes the individual sounds as “sound Legos,” with which to build. He is creating something truly new, an organic sound that is humble and natural. He tells a story, each song has such a similar mood, but just a bit of variation.
Emancipator released another album in January 2010, and has been rising on the American listener’s playlist. He has toured with Bassnectar, STS9, and played at several festivals. He played at Moogfest in Late October with The Flaming Lips, Moby, M83, and more. He remarked that although he was influenced by DJ Shadow and Thievery Corporation at the start, he is more focused on the underground hip-hop scene and the beats of smaller producers like Flying Lotus and Nosaj Thing. His music will continue to be on the top of my playlist, especially after my experience in Technosonics.
“Soon It Will Be Cold Enough” is largely a concept album, with very few vocal samples. The first highlight for me on the album is “When I Go” which blends sweeping, modulated synthesizers, a slow rhythm guitar and delicate off-key vocal samples from Thao Nguyen. Smooth percussion in the verse and chorus accompanies these elements. The song is so smooth, and almost uncanny as the listener finds himself out of context. Emancipator is creating a new genre of music, trip-hop with a more organic feel. It is a composition of raw elements. “Anthem” gives the impression of being outside, again using sweeping synthesizers, a catchy drumbeat, violin and piano. He tops the piece off with a violin hook that will leave you coming back for more. While there are no lyrics, his use of synthesizers makes the music call out to you as if there were. His music is more emotional than intellectual, fueled by a mood that resonates throughout the entire album.
This album sets the prefect mood for early winter. As intended, the music makes you want to bundle up for the cold. One of the more experimental songs, “First Snow” blends synthesizers, a old, scratchy audio sample (possibly tape recorder music), and near the end, a speaker explaining his winter dress. On this track, you appreciate how clean his drums are; they beat in a softer way than most. Emancipator explains that these drum beats are composed using the same “oneshots,” which we used in class. Onehots are one-second recordings, which are then overlaid and manipulated with effects to produce the finished beat. I realized how much time goes into producing a simple piece using Garageband or Audacity, and now more than ever appreciate his incredible production. He describes the individual sounds as “sound Legos,” with which to build. He is creating something truly new, an organic sound that is humble and natural. He tells a story, each song has such a similar mood, but just a bit of variation.
Emancipator released another album in January 2010, and has been rising on the American listener’s playlist. He has toured with Bassnectar, STS9, and played at several festivals. He played at Moogfest in Late October with The Flaming Lips, Moby, M83, and more. He remarked that although he was influenced by DJ Shadow and Thievery Corporation at the start, he is more focused on the underground hip-hop scene and the beats of smaller producers like Flying Lotus and Nosaj Thing. His music will continue to be on the top of my playlist, especially after my experience in Technosonics.
