I never thought simplicity could both terrify and entrance me. Thirteen years after their last record, Boards of Canada have returned with what I feel is perfectly on par with their other incredible albums. When I listened to “Prophecy At 1420 MHz,” something struck me right away: how little it needed to already feel complete. Boards of Canada have mastered electronic downtempo and ambient because they evoke such strong imagery and emotion within their simplicity, something few ... read more
Expectations can kill reality, even if said reality is good on its own. I believe that to be the reason behind the reception that EXPERIMENTAL RAP has received, as I personally think it still has some very solid moments. No, it isn’t perfect. It has some major flaws, some that I’ve seen mentioned often by others. But overall, especially in comparison with some of the other recent hip-hop albums, it holds on well to its roots and has some exceptional tracks. If he had cut it down to ... read more
Emotional honesty can be hard to accept within oneself. Perhaps we seek to hide from emotions, or stay strong in the face of “feeling,” something so often treated as a weakness. Or, maybe, we do feel emotions, but they take hold of us. Both of these are extremes, like the difference between nothingness and everything. Somewhere between repression and surrender is acceptance. And so, when we pretend to have no emotions or allow them to take hold of us, they become dangerous. Because ... read more