Baauer - PLANET'S MAD
A bombastic full length from the eclectic producer...
*Baauer* is far more than just that guy who went viral in 2013. Since his 'Harlem Shake' hit – which did the waves across social media with that famous dance – Baauer has expanding his style and perfecting his sound.
His first album, 'Aa', showed since of his potential but the second half lend on guest vocal. His sophomore album is a much fuller album, deliver on the early promise by turning everything up to 11. There isn’t a single misstep on the record – dizzyingly inventive tracks that draw from baile funk and techno, dubstep and drum’n’bass, with pacing that never goes stale and hits with enough force to put a hole through the wall.
'MAGIC' alternates between a subtly eerie chord sequence and kitchen-sink percussion that rattles, stomps and clicks. Its second build-up is particularly effective, short, sharp woodwind chirps backed by synth pads that take over before spinning out of control.
'REACHUPDONTSTOP' is an uptempo banger, with Jersey Club kickdrum patterns and an break loop that seems to achieve the musical equivalent of perpetual motion, topped with an infectious vocal sample.
'HOT 44' explores the sounds that have dominated UK tech-house recently – booming bass and percussive sounds that tread a fine line between accent and random swinging – but it has a charmingly wonky feel to it, much like when Chris Clark first fell in love with techno all those years ago. HOME has more of a light pop sensibility and is a beautiful palate cleanser.
'PLANET’S MAD' is an intense listen, a runaway train devouring everything in its path. It’s also an absolute tour de force from an extremely talented producer who is only going from strength to strength.
'PLANET'S MAD' is more than just an album. It’s a massive work of world building (on a blockbuster cinematic scale, an immersive universe born from the mind of one of the most revolutionary talents on the pop landscape today.
*8/10*
Words:* Amar Mehta *
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