A View of U is vintage Machinedrum insofar as it's possible to describe the ever-progressive and chameleonic music of Travis Stewart. Reminiscent of 2013's Vapor City, Stewart's latest album succeeds in capturing the same smooth pace and genre-bending magic but enmeshed with new blood thanks to some impressive collaborations.
Featuring Sub Focus, Chrome Sparks, Father, Freddie Gibbs, Mono/Poly, Tigran Hamasyan, Jesse Boykins III, Rochelle Jordan and Tanerélle, A View of U sees Stewart distill a number of different styles and musical influences ⏤ from Armenian jazz to American hip-hop ⏤ into a carefully crafted electronic cocktail. His ability to fuse various sounds, melodies, vocals and tempos to his liking shines bright; drum and bass, hip hop, IDM, rave, dance, jungle and more fall into line with an ease that only the North Carolina-born producer can manage.
A View of U is a grandiose, expansive and starry-eyed journey that sits comfortably in its suspension of belief. With meditation as the inspiration, it's no surprise that Stewart begets meditative music. Highlights include Gibbs' bombastic swagger on "Kane Train" and Sub Focus' drum and bass seduction on "1000 Miles." Machinedrum's latest venture is out of this world, so to speak, and it's a much welcome addition to the veteran's venerated discography.
(Ninja Tune)Featuring Sub Focus, Chrome Sparks, Father, Freddie Gibbs, Mono/Poly, Tigran Hamasyan, Jesse Boykins III, Rochelle Jordan and Tanerélle, A View of U sees Stewart distill a number of different styles and musical influences ⏤ from Armenian jazz to American hip-hop ⏤ into a carefully crafted electronic cocktail. His ability to fuse various sounds, melodies, vocals and tempos to his liking shines bright; drum and bass, hip hop, IDM, rave, dance, jungle and more fall into line with an ease that only the North Carolina-born producer can manage.
A View of U is a grandiose, expansive and starry-eyed journey that sits comfortably in its suspension of belief. With meditation as the inspiration, it's no surprise that Stewart begets meditative music. Highlights include Gibbs' bombastic swagger on "Kane Train" and Sub Focus' drum and bass seduction on "1000 Miles." Machinedrum's latest venture is out of this world, so to speak, and it's a much welcome addition to the veteran's venerated discography.