His best album in about ten years (not counting the Uncut Gems soundtrack); I agree with you - he lost what was special when he started opening his mouth, except I *would* say Magic is a bad album (Again is better thankfully).
Your take on the vocals in his more recent albums is quite interesting, and I sort of agree (though I do find some of the melodies pretty compelling). This album is particularly imaginative and as it often is with OPN, veers into sonic art territory. Love reading your reviews as always!
Thanks Sonya – yeah I mean, he did work with vocals even before Age Of, but I never thought of them as intrusive. This is quite speculative, but I feel his work as a producer for pop artists made his solo work a bit more 'pop' too.
It's great to see how the threads of your posts this year are all weaving together -- vaporwave, Tim Hecker (Instrumental Tourist was great!) and now Lopatin. There is a flow to it all. It must be Kunze Koded.
All-new to me but listening as I read your article and loving it to bits. Thanks again for shining a light on something magical. (Hope you’re having a lovely weekend) x
Excellent post! I still recall being stunned not only by the Safdie’s brilliant film “Good Time”, but his soundtrack! Having never heard him before that moment in a darkened theater I had “my mind blown” as we used to say. Really looking forward to this new release!
His best album in about ten years (not counting the Uncut Gems soundtrack); I agree with you - he lost what was special when he started opening his mouth, except I *would* say Magic is a bad album (Again is better thankfully).
Your take on the vocals in his more recent albums is quite interesting, and I sort of agree (though I do find some of the melodies pretty compelling). This album is particularly imaginative and as it often is with OPN, veers into sonic art territory. Love reading your reviews as always!
Thanks Sonya – yeah I mean, he did work with vocals even before Age Of, but I never thought of them as intrusive. This is quite speculative, but I feel his work as a producer for pop artists made his solo work a bit more 'pop' too.
It's great to see how the threads of your posts this year are all weaving together -- vaporwave, Tim Hecker (Instrumental Tourist was great!) and now Lopatin. There is a flow to it all. It must be Kunze Koded.
Haha, yeah! But I'll throw you a real curveball tomorrow.
I'll look forward to it!
Ever since I heard R Plus Seven I’ve felt that OPN is like a 21st century Vangelis. A soundtrack for our times 👌🏻
All-new to me but listening as I read your article and loving it to bits. Thanks again for shining a light on something magical. (Hope you’re having a lovely weekend) x
Love to hear that, Matt! Welcome to the OPN fan club.
I didn't know the album.
Great post!
I think the new album is awesome.
It was really smart to talk about how this record is like his classic album, Replica.
It helps explain why Lopatin is such a unique artist for taking simple, forgotten sounds and turning them into such deep music.
I'm adding Tranquilizer to my future morning coffee playlist, especially I'm enjoying the deep, complex sound mentioned in the article.
Excellent post! I still recall being stunned not only by the Safdie’s brilliant film “Good Time”, but his soundtrack! Having never heard him before that moment in a darkened theater I had “my mind blown” as we used to say. Really looking forward to this new release!
Did you manage to get an advance copy of the whole thing? I agree with everything you wrote, and realllllly looking forward to it
Yes, I've been listening to the full album for two weeks now.
Jealous!