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miditiddi Ā· 2 years ago
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houstonlocalus-blog Ā· 8 years ago
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B L A C K I E Stays Ahead on New Full Length
B L A C K I E. Photo: Daniel Jackson
Ā  For about the last ten years, hip hop has been in a state of upheaval, where those true to the game get their craft lifted by those at the top. In recent years, the tides have turned and acts that keep an eye on the future of hip hop have all known that LaPorteā€™s B L A C K I E is ahead of everyone else in the game. On his new full length Remains, he takes things in a new direction without distancing himself from hisĀ signature sound. The album is so forward and progressive for hip hop that itā€™s almost like staring into a crystal ball. Removed is some of the grime that B L A C K I E has become known for, and whatā€™s left is a dystopian sound that offers up a bleak future where no one wins, except the listener.
Ā  Opening with ā€œNumbers Not a Name,ā€ the howl from various squeals of guitar are met with B L A C K I Eā€™s distinct vocals, presenting aĀ depth of range where he soundsĀ like a man against the world, or against authority, feelingĀ like heā€™s in the grips of a desperate action. The meandering piano in the mix, varying synths and guitars create the image of a bleak world, presenting himĀ at the tipping point of either a breakdown or an impassioned plea for understanding. This isĀ followed by the sonic assault of ā€œAcademy Academy.ā€ B L A C K I E is treading into new waters by opening the track withĀ strangeĀ bell sounds before multiple beats are met with vocals at the front of the mix, to the point that you can understand whatā€™s heā€™s saying. A cluster of guitars and synths meet head on like a collision with very few survivors while B L A C K I E flexesĀ a flow we havenā€™t heard from him since his early days. The song is more accessible than his last couple of offerings, but it doesnā€™t feel like itā€™s too far from what you expect either. The grime isnā€™t as intense here, but it totally works as the sax has more depth, almost used as aĀ drone factor, or more as an instrument of sound rather than an instrument of destructive noise. This creates a newer sounding version of what he does while seeming more forward thinkingĀ in its refined presentation. The song clocks in at seven and a half minutes, yet B L A C K I E keeps that length interesting, using more hypnotic sound clusters than inĀ past records. Itā€™s an intriguing yet mesmerizing presentation that you canā€™t shake.
Ā  While the desolate opening of ā€œRun From Desireā€ sounds like that of a song from a cyberpunk film, once you delve into the track you realize B L A C K I E is taking his sound to new places. Distinct dual vocals are placed atop one another in a way Iā€™ve never heard before, ultimately meeting with a horn track in the distance alongside a piano that you can faintly hear and a bass that temporarily comes inĀ before Middle Eastern horns triumphantly offer up the vocals again with a medley of sounds that are blended in such a way that they almost sound like a crowd in a fury. With a mix of his screams and the vocal ā€œrun from desireā€ at the top, he never lets you forget what heā€™s singing, the thought of aĀ bleak future never leaves the narrative. This continues on ā€œThree Ways,ā€ where itā€™s obvious that B L A C K I E has changed his game, with songs that have a more focused and contiguous theme without the polarizing pierces of sound heā€™s employed before. Instead he focuses on making songs that act asĀ the soundtrack to a fevered revolution. Strange keys emanate from start to finish, though theyā€™re catchy in their own way, offering something thatā€™s closer to dark electronica than what youā€™d expect. This is B L A C K I E at his finest, literally giving us short rhymes alongside screams while taking the hip hop game to a darker and more off-key place where heā€™s the king. Ā 
Ā  ā€œReturn To Controlā€ gets started with keys that are almost immediately met with a beat and vocals, while a mix of multiple sounds play underneath the track. The sonic layering on the song is something else, complete with saxophone and what sounds like dual vocals, full of intensity and a pace that keeps your interest. The song is the closest to traditional in its structure of the eight songs on the album. While still far from the norm, it proves that the itā€™s more than chaos through a broad landscape. Closing off with the lyrics, ā€œYou want control, you love control, you need control,ā€ thereā€™s a simplicity that still feels complex here, proving the distinct nature of his composition that sets him apart from everyone else in hip hop. He slows things down with a softer guitar and an almost screwed sounding vocal with ā€œRest In My Brain.ā€ The song is a far cry from the B L A C K I E youā€™ve seen before, coming on in a way that feels right for this album while being a little far to the left of his previous work.
Ā  However, on the following track, ā€œPosition Targeted,ā€ the crazed assault that B L A C K I E isĀ known for returns with a forceĀ and provides yet another standout of the album. Complete with a rat-a-tat beat and in-your-face vocals, a dense bombardment of saxophone, synths, and beats cluster in unison withĀ his screams of sheer intensity before the sax takes center stage and he returns to a more focused sound that still feels free. The overall feel of the track is like that of an artist whoā€™s taking their past and completely reinventing it, staying years ahead of the rest of the game. The album ends with the more stoic and slower paced ā€œI Watch Them Turn You Off.ā€ Keeping a slower beat again, the sadness of the backing tracks and dual vocals make the song more intense and full of a vigor that never dissipates. When the saxophone comes in, itā€™s met with heavy and deep synths that sound like the battle cry of the end of the world, which is where the album finds its end.
Ā  This is possibly the most forward step B L A C K I E has taken as far as production and overall album feel. By taking out some of the grimier elements and putting his vocals at the front of the albumā€™s mix, the entire album comes off as a little more clean without feeling polished. The album keeps him ahead of everyone else, once again, while offering a balance between what heā€™s become known for and what heā€™s onto next, and giving all who listen his strongest release to date.
Ā  You can hear ā€œRemainsā€ for yourself when itā€™s released on May 13, or hear it in person at itā€™s release party also on May 13 at Civic TV. The all ages show is free and has support sets from Illustrations and Baby Horse, with doors at 9 pm.
B L A C K I E Stays Ahead on New Full Length this is a repost
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aholefilledwithtwigs Ā· 2 years ago
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Went back and relistened to this version, and thought it deserved posting as well
Slower and grimier version, where the bass is much more growly and wobbly
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