Thursday, October 10, 2024

Entry 911 - Summers Sons - Nostalgia


Style: Jazzy hip hop, atmospheric hip hop

Primary Emotions/Themes: The title says it all, nostalgia

Thoughts: Is there such a thing as atmospheric hip hop? I have no idea, but this album sure has me wondering. 

This is the only exposure I have had to Summers Sons, likely not the last after listening to this excellent release. Nostalgia combines simple beats with some lounge inspired jazz instrumentals and a hefty dose of atmosphere. 

The beats I've heard before, the jazz I've also got a few releases that sound like this. The vocals, well they are obviously British in execution, and have a wonderful cadence to them. Where the album really stands out though is in its atmosphere. 

Nostalgia feels like it was recorded in the mid to late 70's on the instrumentals. The vocals are clear as day, but the the backing sounds muted and a bit obscured. This combined with the wonderful arrangements makes this album have an atmosphere that is so thick that the world feels like it's being played from an old movie theater. 

There are small breaks in the music - points where the music just drops out for the briefest moment. This adds to the old feeling of the album and helps create that full, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. The lyrics themselves are full of thinking about family, legacy, and the wonders of youth. I love it all, and I hope to explore more of Summer Sons discography in short order.

Written August 5th 2024

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