{grate 4} Oftentimes when listening to uninspired MTV or radio
dribble, I wonder when artists stopped being artists. Then I hear someone like
Flying Lotus. This
beat-maker is truly pushing boundaries and exploring new territory through his
off-kilter drum programming and experimental approach. While his debut
instrumental album, 1983, had more of what is commonly known as down-tempo
rhythms and ambient moods, his newest EP, Reset, brings a more cohesive
direction to the sound. The EP is succinct, barely reaching the 15-minute mark
in the span of five tracks. But in that small amount of space, Lotus
successfully gives a rhythmic backbone to his strange yet appealing sounds.
“After releasing 1983, I felt like I wanted to start over on
a new label and introduce myself as a producer that did more than just one kind
of vibe so it won’t be too weird for anyone down the line that wasn’t expecting
me to do some different kind of shit,” Lotus said of his newest release.
When questioned as to whether he has any apprehension about
switching styles too fast and possibly losing some of the attention he has
garnered lately, Lotus brushed off the possibility of pigeon-holing himself.
“I’m not at all afraid of switching up my style,” he said.
“I really hope that folks expect that from me. I really hope that people expect
me to do all sorts of things; I really don’t want to do one thing forever.”
If you have any sort of interest in sounds not found in
mainstream channels, give Flying Lotus a listen. His incorporation of elements
from different forms of electronic music and hip-hop, all while pushing forward
to carve his own lane, make for beats that knock and arrangements that will
have you scratching your head in awe.
