Jun 04, 2019 “Gretel” also marks a return to the style of his earlier recordings for the Philadelphia artist, dominated by an acoustic guitar and backgrounded with a metallic piano that recalls an organ. Whereas much of Rocket felt like it was trying to create distance with Auto-Tuned vocal processing and reverberating synthesizers.
Unknown Memory | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 23, 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:52 | |||
Label | Sky Team | |||
Producer | Yung Gud, Whitearmor, Yung Sherman | |||
Yung Lean chronology | ||||
|
Unknown Memory is the debut studio album by Swedish rapper Yung Lean,[1] released by Sky Team on September 23, 2014.[2] The album garnered generally favourable reviews, with many critics honouring its production and for being a more serious piece of work compared to his debut mixtape. It features a sole guest appearance from Travis Scott.
Composition[edit]
Unknown Memory's official press release describes the record as 'a hybrid of modern experimental music', with the feeling of 'Laser sword melancholia' and arrangements of 'ominous synth clouds hovering over clinical beats.'[3] A review described Lean's vocals as 'somehow distinctly European; less midnight in Vegas more dawn over Berghain, the robotic voice oddly reminiscent of Kraftwerk.'[4]
Lyrically, the album deals with 'introspection, feelings of alienation, ennui, boredom, all with that vague, dull ache', and 'conjures with tropes and social signifiers' common in modern hip-hop to make a feeling instead of an actual narrative, making it up to the listener to come up with their own narrative.[4]
Release and promotion[edit]
A bundle of Unknown Memory was also distributed with a hand glove displaying the 'Unknown Memory' logo on top of it, which was listed in an article by Kyla Bills of Paper magazine as one of the '10 Weirdest Pieces of Merch Ever Sold By Rappers'.[5]
Critical response[edit]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
The 405 | 7.5/10[6] |
Consequence of Sound | B-[7] |
Fact | 3/5[8] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7.5/10[4] |
NME | 7/10[9] |
The Observer | [10] |
Pitchfork Media | 3.6/10[11] |
Tiny Mix Tapes | [12] |
Auto-tuned Vocals Pitchfork Songs
Several reviewers praised Unknown Memory as Yung Lean's more serious piece of work than his past releases,[4][6][7][9] and felt that many listeners didn't take him as seriously as he probably should've been.[4][6][7] These included The 405 critic Jess Bernard, who called the album 'another example of Yung Lean's ability to stunt on a record', with his skills measuring up to those of The Weeknd and Travi$ Scott. He also highlighted the video game and internet-esque musical style, writing that 'Most importantly, Yung Lean's created his own lane and an aesthetic that can only be attributed to him and Sadboys.'[6] The production of Unknown Memory and how it complemented Lean's rapping was also a common spotlight in reviews.[4][7][8][11][12] In a Consequence of Sound review, Levy Pat praised how Lean handled his haters on Unknown Memory, with the rapper even thanking the negative attention he received with lines like 'Thanks to everyone who hates me/ Only makes me thin my roll.” Levy wrote, 'To be so self-aware and able to handle criticism is something that Yung Lean should teach every other rapper/musician/human being. Not only is he aware of his critics, but the knock-off versions that come along with any rapper who finds his lane on the internet.'[7] He also liked that 'Yung Lean takes some of the more familiar rap game tropes and flips them on their heads in a way that only he is capable of.'[7]Unknown Memory was number 28 on Pigeons & Planes' list of their favourite albums of 2014, with Joe Price calling the LP an example of why hip-hop doesn't always need to be taken seriously. He also wrote that 'It's hard to even call this rap at times, but how it avoids genre conventions is how it remains so exciting throughout its running time. Rarely is music this fun without compromising individuality.'[13]
A critic for The Observer opined that 'If Unknown Memory doesn’t quite merit the excited bafflement that initially greeted Lean, its nagging hooks and queasy introspection still make for an intriguing trip',[10] while a Fact reviewer said there was something 'beguilingly decadent about Unknown Memory: the way Lean’s confessions of world-weary ennui flow seamlessly into brags about wealth and status; how those dreamy, new-age synth lines play out beneath raps that sound spiritually hollow.' However, the latter called also some parts of the album pretty weak, including Lean's sometimes 'rudimentary' rapping. He also wrote that 'More broadly, it feels like there are questions to be asked about a bunch of white European teens appropriating the culture and iconography of black America wholesale.'[8] One negative review of Unknown Memory came from Pitchfork Media's Jonah Bromwich, who felt that the rapper was 'doubling down' his personality that made his past work enjoyable to listen to and 'simultaneously scrubbing away the most amateurish (and most likeable) parts of his sound.'[11] He disliked Lean's auto-tuned vocals and 'irritating rapping flow', which he felt caused the tracks to be too identical to each other and lost the listeners' interest on the otherwise more 'palatable' instrumentals. He also made note of Yung Lean's sadness that he had always presented, which was 'kicked into overdrive' and became 'empty' on the LP, writing that these sad feelings have been done much better by artists such as Lana Del Rey.[11]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Yung Lean.
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | 'Blommor (Intro)' (Swedish translation: 'flowers') | Yung Gud | 1:33 |
2. | 'Blinded' | Yung Gud | 4:14 |
3. | 'Sunrise Angel' | White Armor | 3:00 |
4. | 'Yoshi City' | Yung Gud | 3:45 |
5. | 'Ice Cold Smoke' | Yung Gud | 1:41 |
6. | 'Dog Walk (Intermission)' | Yung Gud | 1:07 |
7. | 'Don't Go' | Yung Sherman | 3:56 |
8. | 'Ghosttown' (featuring Travis Scott) | Yung Gud | 5:10 |
9. | 'Monster' | Yung Sherman | 4:15 |
10. | 'Volt' | White Armor, Yung Gud | 3:13 |
11. | 'Leanworld' | White Armor | 3:59 |
12. | 'Sandman' | Yung Sherman | 2:59 |
13. | 'Helt Ensam (Outro)' (Swedish translation: 'all alone') | Yung Gud | 3:06 |
Charts[edit]
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)[14] | 19 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] | 36 |
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[14] | 22 |
References[edit]
- ^Kinkel, Ollie (September 29, 2014). 'Yung Lean Releases His First Official Album'. Respect.
- ^Adams, Gregory (September 23, 2014). 'Yung Lean Announces North American Tour, Physical Release of 'Unknown Memory''. Exclaim!.
- ^'Yung Lean - Unknown Memory'. Yung Lean Official Online Store. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ abcdefPlatt, John (27 February 2015). 'Yung Lean - Unknown Memory'. The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^Bills, Kyla (26 September 2014). 'The 10 Weirdest Pieces of Merch Ever Sold By Rappers'. Paper. Paper Communications. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ abcdBernard, Jesse (9 February 2015). 'Yung Lean - Unknown Memory'. The 405. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ abcdefLevy, Pat (26 September 2014). 'Yung Lean – Unknown Memory'. Consequence of Sound.
- ^ abcPattison, Louis (5 December 2014). 'Unknown Memory'. Fact. The Vinyl Factory.
- ^ abPerry, Kevin (8 December 2014). 'Yung Lean - 'Unknown Memory''. NME.
- ^ abCarnwath, Ally (21 February 2015). 'Yung Lean: Unknown Memory review – nagging hooks and queasy introspection'. The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ abcdBromwich, Jonah (24 September 2014). 'Yung Lean: Unknown Memory'. Pitchfork Media.
- ^ abPearce, Sheldon (2 October 2014). 'Yung Lean - Unknown Memory'. Tiny Mix Tapes.
- ^Price, Joe (22 December 2014). 'The Best Albums of 2014'. Pigeons & Planes. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ abc'Unknown Memory - Yung Lean Awards'. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
External links[edit]
- Unknown Memory at Discogs (list of releases)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Unknown_Memory&oldid=949231553'
'Don't Miss It' | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by James Blake | ||||
from the album Assume Form | ||||
Released | 4 June 2018 | |||
Format | ||||
Length | 4:54 | |||
Label | Polydor | |||
Songwriter(s) | James Blake | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
James Blake singles chronology | ||||
|
'Don't Miss It' is a song by English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter James Blake from his fourth album, Assume Form.[1] It was written by Blake and produced alongside Dominic Maker of electronic music duo Mount Kimbie and Dan Foat.[2] A lyric video was released on 24 May 2018, having been premiered that day on an episode of his BBC Radio 1 residency.[3] However, it was only released as single by Polydor Records on 4 June of that year.[4] It is a piano ballad with additional drums accompanied by Blake's auto-tuned vocals.
The song received acclaim from music critics, however, a mixed review by Pitchfork, which labelled the track as 'sad boy music' was met with a critical response from Blake, who deemed the expression 'unhealthy and problematic when used to describe men just openly talking about their feelings.'[5]
Composition[edit]
'Don't Miss It' is a piano ballad composed in the key of E major with a tempo of 70 beats per minute while Blake's vocals span a range of G#3 to F#5.[6][7][8] The song is centered around a piano part and places a focus on Blake's auto-tuned and glitching vocals. Programmed and live drums, tape hiss and operatic samples are added and removed throughout the track.[9][10] Lyrically, the song is about how tempting it is to disappear.[11] Olivia Ovenden of Esquire noted that the track was similar to Blake's song 'Retrograde' and deemed the song's lyrics 'particularly angsty even for Blake'.[12]
Auto-tuned Vocals Pitchfork Lyrics
Critical reception[edit]
'Don't Miss It' received acclaim from music critics. Cerys Kenneally of The Line Of Best Fit wrote that the song 'continues to encapsulate his raw talent' and added that 'Blake has undoubtedly exceeded himself in terms of finding his signature sound.'[13]Variance's Tyler Schmitt called the song 'stunning', writing 'if you're in need of a good playlist, we've got you covered. It's just James Blake's new song on repeat.'[14] Philip Cosores, writing for Uproxx, featured the song on his 'Best New Indie Music From This Week' list, writing 'the tracks [sic] is another example of Blake turning his emotional vulnerability into a fine piece of art.'[15]Hypebeast's Davis Huynh featured the track on his 'Best New Tracks' list, writing 'it does appear that James Blake is getting back into the groove of releasing new tracks – which is always a good thing.'[16]Vulture placed the song on their '6 Best New Songs of the Week' list, calling the song 'the saddest computer music that could possibly exist' and described the track as 'initially unsettling, but then it all crystallizes.'[17]Complex named it one of the best songs of the month of May, calling it 'a gorgeous, haunting song.'[18] Harriet Gibsone of The Guardian deemed the track one of the best of 2018.[19]
Pitchfork review and 'sad boy' comment[edit]
In a mixed review for Pitchfork, Kevin Lozano wrote that 'Don't Miss It,' is another beautifully brutal song to add to Blake's large catalog of sumptuous sad boy music', adding that 'while it's hard to deny the prettiness of Blake's music, the mopeyness of it all is starting to feel cloistered. Maybe he needs a night out.'[20] The music magazine also tweeted 'Yes, James Blake is still sad', to which Blake replied 'Case in point'.[21] Blake later posted a letter on Twitter, writing 'I can’t help but notice, as I do whenever I talk about my feelings in a song, that the words 'sad boy' are used to describe it. I've always found that expression to be unhealthy and problematic when used to describe men just openly talking about their feelings.' He added that 'we are already in an epidemic of male depression and suicide' and that 'we don't need any further proof that we have hurt men with our questioning of their need to be vulnerable and open.'[5] Various other artists came out in support of the singer, including Olly Alexander from British synth-pop band Years & Years and English singers Mabel and Anne-Marie.[22]
Personnel[edit]
- James Blake – vocals, piano, production, co-mixing
- Dominic Maker – co-production
- Dan Foat – executive production
- Nathan Boddy – co-mixing
- Joshua Smith – recording engineering
- John Armstrong – assistant recording engineering
- Eric Eylands – assistant recording engineering
Charts[edit]
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[23] | 39 |
References[edit]
- ^Findlay, Mitch (3 January 2019). 'James Blake Tracklist Leaks, Revealing Andre 3000 & Travis Scott Features'. HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ^'Don't Miss It'. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Wilson, Scott (25 May 2018). 'James Blake shares new track, 'Don't Miss It''. Fact. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^'Don't Miss It - Single by James Blake'. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ abYoung, Alex (27 May 2018). 'James Blake rails against 'sad boy' label: 'I've always found that expression to be unhealthy and problematic''. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^'James Blake 'Don't Miss It' Sheet Music in E Major (transposable)'. Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Arcand, Rob (24 May 2018). 'James Blake – 'Don't Miss It''. Spin. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Johnson, Ellen (25 May 2018). 'Don't Miss James Blake's Quietly Thrilling New Song 'Don't Miss It''. Paste. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^D'Souza, Shaad (25 May 2018). 'Listen to James Blake's Stunning New Song 'Don't Miss It''. Noisey. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Hunt, El (25 May 2018). 'Listen to James Blake's new track 'Don't Miss It''. NME. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Colburn, Randall (25 May 2018). 'James Blake shares 'Don't Miss It' featuring Mount Kimbie: Stream'. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Ovenden, Olivia (25 May 2018). 'James Blake Is Here With A New Track To Brighten Up Your Bank Holiday Weekend'. Esquire. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Kenneally, Cerys (25 May 2018). 'James Blake drops shiver worthy ballad 'Don't Miss It''. The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Schmitt, Tyler (24 May 2018). 'James Blake Has Released a Stunning New Track Called 'Don't Miss It''. Variance. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Cosores, Philip (28 May 2018). 'All Of The Best New Indie Music From This Week'. Uproxx. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Huynh, David. 'Best New Tracks: A$AP Rocky, James Blake, Pusha T, Tyler, the Creator and More'. Hypebeast. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^'6 Best New Songs of the Week: Pusha-T, A$AP Rocky, J Balvin, James Blake'. Vulture. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^'Pigeons & Planes' Best Songs of the Month - James Blake - 'Don't Miss It''. Complex. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^'The best albums and tracks of 2018: how our writers voted'. The Guardian. 21 December 2018. ISSN0261-3077. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^Lozano, Kevin (25 May 2018). 'James Blake - Don't Miss It'. Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^'Singer James Blake slams 'sad boy' label amid 'epidemic of male depression and suicide''. Sky News. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^Blake, Jimmy; Holden, Steve (26 May 2018). 'Why James Blake isn't a 'sad boy''. BBC News. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^'James Blake Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)'. Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Don%27t_Miss_It&oldid=921627471'