Black Sun
by Kode9
  • Record Label: Hyperdub
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2011
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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  1. analogbrat
    Jul 7, 2013
    9
    An undisputed pioneer, a trailblazer who can rightly claim dubstep as primarily his creation, Steve Goodman, Ph.D, returns to fine form with his sophomore album featuring doom-voiced prophet Spaceape. There is a smaller emphasis here on bass, to the point that some tracks seem to lack sub; this void is filled by a relentless death march of percussion and unnerving snare attacks. TheAn undisputed pioneer, a trailblazer who can rightly claim dubstep as primarily his creation, Steve Goodman, Ph.D, returns to fine form with his sophomore album featuring doom-voiced prophet Spaceape. There is a smaller emphasis here on bass, to the point that some tracks seem to lack sub; this void is filled by a relentless death march of percussion and unnerving snare attacks. The fidgety atmosphere is heightened by Spaceape's vocals, noticeably lighter and less treated than on 2006's Memories of the Future he as often lurks around the shadows as full-on raps, and Shanghai vocalist Cha Cha is utilized to create an ethereal presence. By the time Flying Lotus drops in on the slowly-unfolding (and instantly silenced) "Kryon", the album's mysterious atmosphere has swallowed you whole.… Collapse
  2. cosmogramma
    Jul 15, 2011
    6
    Black Sun is one of the top 5 releases since 2011 under the umbrella of 'dubstep'. It's not as experimental, paranoid, or atmospherically rich as Memories of the Future, but it still provides an interesting electronica listen. This album focuses on ingenious, intricate, layered drum-lines, with atmospherics taking second on this album. The Spaceape's lyrics aren't as ominous or moving asBlack Sun is one of the top 5 releases since 2011 under the umbrella of 'dubstep'. It's not as experimental, paranoid, or atmospherically rich as Memories of the Future, but it still provides an interesting electronica listen. This album focuses on ingenious, intricate, layered drum-lines, with atmospherics taking second on this album. The Spaceape's lyrics aren't as ominous or moving as Memories of the Future, but are still leagues ahead of other lyrics within the same genre… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Q Magazine
    May 18, 2011
    80
    His second album evokes blade Runner's stylish futurism, populating it with Spaceape's paranoid poetry and drowning clean lines in tape crackle. [May 2011, p.119]
  2. Uncut
    May 13, 2011
    80
    Black Sun is subdued and ruminative: snaking around dancehall, grime, hip hop, but holding fast to its own uniqueness. [Jun 2011, p.87]
  3. The Boston Phoenix
    May 4, 2011
    88
    At times, the album draws more from drum and bass than from UK funky or any other bass music du jour.
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