They’re New Here: Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx
I did not become someone different
that I did not want to be.
But I’m new here,
will you show me around?
So who exactly is Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx? More importantly, why should you care who they are?
Here’s a quick recap if you want to be in the know:
Gil Scott-Heron: 60-something American musician, spoken word artist, and all around sincere fellow. If you attended a liberal institution of higher learning like I did, you probably know him best for his song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” which for some reason typically arises somewhere in discussion during lectures for Intro to Sociology. In my opinion, his repertoire of work falls somewhere in between the Harlem Renaissance and the neo-Renaissance of Def Jam Poetry of the late 1990s-early 2000s. His work has stood the test of time, and in addition, the release of his new album in over a decade, I’m New Here, bridges the gap between generations. If you need further investigation, pick up an album by Kanye West and see what allusions he makes to Scott-Heron.
Now, Jamie xx: 20-something Brit and beatmaker for introverted-all-around minimalist trio The xx. Armed with just ProTools and an MPC, Jamie xx’s work in The xx along with his remixes proves once again that you can say more by saying less. Much like his persona, this description of Jamie will remain concise and simple, leaving his music to speak for itself.
And now the important question you’re asking yourself: why should I care that Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx made an album together? Before you become washed over with apathy, hear me out for a second. I believe that the sheer concept of We’re New Here, the dynamic between the two, and the point each of them are currently at in their careers is reason enough for you to give this album a thorough once-over.
Here we have young’n Jamie Smith reaching out to borderline-retiree Gil Scott-Heron, two people who couldn’t be anymore different, creating a whole album together. Yes, the tracks are remixed from I’m New Here, but Jamie xx takes things in a different direction.
Without delving into the intricacies of each track, many of the instrumentals themselves can be listened to as straight dance-ish/dubstep-y/dream-like tracks, however, the addition of Scott-Heron’s spoken word pieces and mantra-esque singing of lyrics makes the album appear slightly left of center. At times, I find myself wanting to attempt a small hipster two-step while sitting in my chair, but I also find myself wanting to create a thesis that analyzes the relation of black-America to contemporary social issues in an ever-evolving country. This bewilderment between the pleasure-lobe and academic-lobe of my brain lasts for nearly the whole album, and that’s what I think makes this album delicious.
Before I start babbling on any further, I’ll just quit while I’m ahead and leave the rest of the album for you to decide on. Personally, even though I know this LP won’t make it to heavy rotation in the clubs or on the radio, We’re New Here creates a lasting, even haunting, impression on anyone who listens to it.
Pogo “Wishery”
I don’t wanna jump the gun and make assumptions about how you’d react to this song, but I’ll just go for it and say, “YOU’RE WELCOME.” Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, Nick Bertke aka Pogo is a producer hailing all the way from the south-south of the world. Yup, all the way from Australia.
Apparently, he’s kinda a big deal. Oh, how big? Well, if you can sample and chop-up Disney movies and upload ‘em to Youtube, garner 4 millie hits, then get asked by Disney to produce content for Up and other productions, then I believe you have made quite a name for yourself.
Wishery is most definitely a testament to Pogo’s keen ear. How you gon’ take soundbites from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, add a dub bass to it, and turn it into one of the most original songs I heard in a minute?
Uffie “Difficult” (Dir. AB/CD/CD)
Just to put this whole Uffie vs. Ke$ha thing to rest, I don’t think Uffie gives a damn if her songs are chart-toppers. Sure, Ke$ha totally bit on Uffie’s California-accent style of white girl rapping, but c’mon, who doesn’t imitate someone else’s style anymore? They both do their own thing with style and ease, so good for them.
Anywho, this video is fun times. It falls somewhere along the lines of that perpetual-motion, universe-folding-in-on-itself kinda dealio. Think of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” The Ting Tings’ “Shut Up And Let Me Go,” Norah Jones’ “Thinking About You,” or if you may be so bold, Kylie Minogue’s “Come Into My World.”
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
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Child Rebel Soldier “Don’t Stop”
(This shall be my first post as a contributor to Made-Fun, so feel free to take a champagne bottle and smash it on your computer, so you may christen this post.)
Like any diligent hypebeast, I think it is an unwritten law to be familiar with both the mainstream and “under the radar” acts in hip-hop. Child Rebel Soldier seems to be the perfect equilibrium of both worlds. And now, indulge yourself in some Q&A:
- What is Child Rebel Soldier? It is a hip hop supergroup composed of the likings of Pharrell Williams, Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West.
- Do they have any other songs out? Yes. They have only one other song they’ve released, called “Us Placers,” which samples Thom Yorke’s “The Eraser.”
- Are there anymore rap supergroups I should know about? Yes. Feel free to delve further in Slaughterhouse and the now-defunct Soulquarians.
In my opinion, all the G.O.O.D. Fridays songs Yeezy has been droppin’ lately have been, hmm, “slow creepers” to say the least. They grow on you after at least 7 full play-thrus. However, in the mass confusion of half-time soul claps, offbeat cowbells, synthesized brass sections, and sampled goodness, this songs presents us with something we haven’t witnessed in a long time: emceeing. I think that’s why I appreciate this song for what it is. In the spirit of Wu Tang, it’s straight verses that they’re spittin’, no catchy R&B hook to please the radio ears.
“Don’t stop!”
- Hugh Vallente Yanuaria
