A sonically rich and expansive record, ‘Living Skyline’ is exactly the sort of instrumental effort we love. You see, there’s clearly a lot of research behind it. It’s not just a ‘beat’ for the sake of it. Rather, it’s a collection of leftfield sonic fragments delving into the fringe of electronica and hip-hop. Plus, there’s a veiled lo-fi goo that – while elegant and low-key – makes the record much more cohesive.
Penned by Philadelphia-based creative Jake the Jeweler, ‘Living Skyline’ marks his debut instrumental EP, also showcasing the nuanced production prowess enjoyed by the talented American. Reminiscent of Flying Lotus, the record features wonky grooves, shiny percussions and detuned timbres, favouring textures and soundscapes instead of conventional instrumentation.
If ‘Sometimes’ is rather soulful and jazz-flavoured, with a stunning sax feature, ‘Unconscious Thought’ is much more experimental and bold, in sonic terms. It’s here that we can appreciate Jake’s imagination, transforming noise into usable sounds. Opener ‘New Day’ is instead on the more conventional side of things, hosting a fusion guitar part that’s eclectic and colourful.
Recommended! Discover ‘Living Skyline’ on Spotify:
