After establishing themselves with 2007's Calligraffiti, Grand Analog, a "beautiful mess of rap'n'roll, dub and soul" collective featuring former Mood Ruff member Odario Williams, are back with their follow-up LP. Titled Metropolis Is Burning, the album has an impressive guest list, including Martin Perna (Antibalas/TV On the Radio), Shad, Len Bowen and Cadence Weapon.
And while stacking the guest list is often a ploy in hip-hop to make something out of nothing, I don't get that from Grand Analog. These dudes are already supreme musicians who can turn any track on its head without notice, all by flexing their instrumental skills. Case in point is "Light So Bright," featuring Cadence Weapon. Beginning with scorching synths (or are they processed guitars?) and a beat that re-enacts Billy Squier's "The Big Beat" (see Jay-Z's "99 Problems," Dizzee Rascal's "Fix Up, Look Sharp" and Kanye West's "Addiction"), Rollie Pemberton spits until his head is about to explode, while Odario uses a more laid-back flow. And while it's pretty cool that Cadence is involved that doesn't stop Grand Analog from flipping the script entirely. All of a sudden, the band flutter into deep psychedelia, tripping out to some wah, delay and bongos while the two MCs riff on the good vibrations.
Expect more of this righteous shit when Metropolis Is Burning drops May 26 via Urbnet.
Grand Analog "Light So Bright" (feat. Cadence Weapon)
And while stacking the guest list is often a ploy in hip-hop to make something out of nothing, I don't get that from Grand Analog. These dudes are already supreme musicians who can turn any track on its head without notice, all by flexing their instrumental skills. Case in point is "Light So Bright," featuring Cadence Weapon. Beginning with scorching synths (or are they processed guitars?) and a beat that re-enacts Billy Squier's "The Big Beat" (see Jay-Z's "99 Problems," Dizzee Rascal's "Fix Up, Look Sharp" and Kanye West's "Addiction"), Rollie Pemberton spits until his head is about to explode, while Odario uses a more laid-back flow. And while it's pretty cool that Cadence is involved that doesn't stop Grand Analog from flipping the script entirely. All of a sudden, the band flutter into deep psychedelia, tripping out to some wah, delay and bongos while the two MCs riff on the good vibrations.
Expect more of this righteous shit when Metropolis Is Burning drops May 26 via Urbnet.
Grand Analog "Light So Bright" (feat. Cadence Weapon)