Summary:The fifth full-length studio release for the Los Angeles-based artist/producer features guest appearances from Captain Murphy, Angel Deradoorian, Kendrick Lamar, Niki Randa, Snoop Dogg, and Thundercat.
While it may not be clear where we're headed throughout the album, Ellison maneuvers through the bedlam with such confidence that it's not just easy to get swept up in his grand vision of the Great Beyond, but to return for repeat visits.
This panoramic attempt to make sense of life's one certainty beyond taxes flutters far above the digital static of 2008's breakthrough Los Angeles into twisted, ethereal jazz territory. [Nov 2014, p.89]
The genius of Flying Lotus, which has been invariably present throughout his preceding releases, but most especially on You’re Dead!, is that he has an incredible ability to both illustrate and extract exceptional amounts of emotion, without saying much at all.
You're Dead loses momentum after "Never Catch Me." Much of the later two-thirds of the album is more atmospheric, reminiscent of 2012's more contemplative "When the Quiet Comes."
Hip Hop and Electronic Music and some Jazz, all in the PERFECT blend. This is a must listen album to anyone interested in experimental sounds.Hip Hop and Electronic Music and some Jazz, all in the PERFECT blend. This is a must listen album to anyone interested in experimental sounds. Most experimental albums don't hit 9/10 for me, much less 10/10.…Expand
Throughout Flying Lotus' career, he has expertly toe'd the line between precise compositions and noisy cacophony. I've always walked awayThroughout Flying Lotus' career, he has expertly toe'd the line between precise compositions and noisy cacophony. I've always walked away trying to decide if he is a genius or a 6 year-old on a computer, throwing sound effects together. Though his sound is consistent, it's always remained an acquired taste, eloquently stitching together hip-hop, jazz and oddly nostalgic video game sounds.
This album marks his coming of age.
While there's always been a method behind the madness, "You're Dead" gives the listener a peak into it.
Within FlyLo's context, this album shows a certain accessibility while still maintaining his artist integrity. The rhythms are much more polished with some beats actually landing on the on-beat which has always been a rarity in favor of his jazz history. Don't make the mistake of thinking that he stuffed them away though. He's simply made his roots evident in his leaves instead. This album is spilling over with melodies and jazzy runs that make his background ever-present while taking it easier on our rhythm-dependent ears.
Some of the, at times, overwhelming sound effects were kept at bay, this time around, using them primarily as accentual flourishes instead of the music's focus. Instead his kept our ears focused on the beautiful instrumental runs as well as the occasional rap from several collaborators, including Snoop Dogg.
Flying Lotus gives the impression this year that he's not only sticking to a signature sound but that he has mastered it.…Collapse
On this album FlyLo manages to take Jazz, Hip Hop and Electronics, mix it with some of his own secret ingredients and produce such an awesomeOn this album FlyLo manages to take Jazz, Hip Hop and Electronics, mix it with some of his own secret ingredients and produce such an awesome sound, together with Thundecat. I think that finally a real blend of modern styles has been accomplished. 'Never Catch me' shows that the african rhythms that inspired spirituals/jazz/hiphop/salsa/etc are still present and fresh in the flow that Kendrick uses, and throughout the album. Thundercat does an amazing job on the bass, he drops the hottest bass licks of the year, together with some nice harmonies that make up for an ethereal sound. Album closer "The Protest" dives into eternity like going to the sea with the Elves. The harmonic complexity and jazz chops of erratic post-bebop make it an enjoyable trip because it takes out the "slowness" of jazz construction , that isn't necessarily bad but on modern times it is important to keep the listeners attention because one-click and they are listening to another album. It's that idea of keeping fresh every 15 seconds that overwhelms the fact that this is a hard-to-get-into album and that there is only one catchy phrase all along ("Sa you will never ever catch me, no") , and still destroying pop-structure it finds its way into new listeners of his and makes people talk about it, and thats the magic of "You're Dead!". If future is fair with FlyLo, this will be regarded as one of musics finest examples and a push-forward to the whole art. Hope his next record blends this with contemporary orchestral music, reggaeton/salsa/southamerican music, peruvian rhythms like landó, african fela-style, etc or that other artists continue this leap forward.…Expand
Going from one gorgeous segue into another, one feels the all-encompassing feature of this album even though it takes different genres. MyGoing from one gorgeous segue into another, one feels the all-encompassing feature of this album even though it takes different genres. My only complaint is that it wasn't about 10 or 15 minutes longer. I'm sure that their great-aunt Alice Coltrane is proud of them!…Expand
Wow. This is easily my favorite Flying Lotus record. He's finally confronting the absurdity and hilarity that death deserves featuring greatWow. This is easily my favorite Flying Lotus record. He's finally confronting the absurdity and hilarity that death deserves featuring great guest vocals along the way.…Expand
I like that album has a concept, which I assume is death. The first few tracks illustrate this perfectly. I think Cold Dead is the impact (ex.I like that album has a concept, which I assume is death. The first few tracks illustrate this perfectly. I think Cold Dead is the impact (ex. the accident that kills you), and Never Catch Me is the ascension to the afterlife or the spiritual journey. However, the story gets lost after that. That's the only problem with this album. It doesn't produce solid tracks consistently. Otherwise, awesome album and the second best in Fly Lo's discography after Los Angeles.…Expand
The Emperors New Clothes springs to mind. Absolutely awful. Howard Moon would love it. I have enjoyed some of his earlier work but haveThe Emperors New Clothes springs to mind. Absolutely awful. Howard Moon would love it. I have enjoyed some of his earlier work but have found this impossible to like after multiple listens. Its too frantic.…Expand
Published: December 29, 2014We reveal our final official list of 2014's highest-scoring albums.