Categories: Archives

Mellow gold

S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Out Hud

Kranky Records

If…

S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Out Hud

Kranky Records

If you don’t know Kranky, the amazing record label based in Chicago, you must be living under a rock. Home to one of the best bands on the planet, Montreal’s Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Kranky houses some of the most unique acts around the world. One of the latest artists they’ve been pushing Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Out Hud, who have recently moved to Sacramento.

Out Hud has a mellow sound that showcases the band’s true strengths. While not as mellow as label-mates GSYBE!, Out Hud has a trippy feel. It almost sounds as if the Sneaker Pimps (another amazing trip-hop sensation) took out their vocals and bumped all their tunes up by another 20 BPM. The band combines the trip-hop electronic sound that many bands fail to bring forth with live instrumentation. It’s almost as if it’s live IDM (Intelligent Dance Music, or complex written percussive patterns a la Aphex Twin) with the percussive buildups that this band is capable of.

Because they’re not very intense, Out Hud does exactly what it’s set out to do: chill you out. It’s great relaxation music because it’s not too ambient to put you to sleep, yet can still put you in a zen-like state with some of its intricately deliberate tunes. Some of the songs even bring a very classy funk feel to them and feature some jazzy string arrangements.

The other fun aspect of this five piece is their massive song titles. Track five stands out as my favorite, and not just because of the title: “The L Train is a Swell Train and I Don’t Want to Hear You Indies Complain.” Starting off with a slow cadence of rhythm and guitar, feedback appears and kicks the song in the ass and wakes you up. The polyrhythms and criss-crossing harmonies of the piece are enough to knock you on the side of the head, showing you that the band can have it’s complex side.

If you need something with a crazier feel than Godspeed, or just need something new in your electronic crossover diet, look no further than Kranky Records’ Out Hud.

Pitt News Staff

Share
Published by
Pitt News Staff

Recent Posts

Opinion | How did this happen?

Thomas and I spent most of the election night texting back and forth. We both…

6 hours ago

Opinion | Intimacy is not reserved for romantic relationships

Chances are, during college, you’re going to crash out over nothing and live in a…

6 hours ago

Sam Clancy: A guarantee on Pittsburgh’s Mount Rushmore

Pittsburgh is home to some of the most important figures in sports history –– so…

7 hours ago

‘I’ll get through these next four years’: Pitt students divided over Trump’s victory, with mixed emotions on campus

As the news echoes across campus, Pitt students are grappling with mixed emotions about the…

7 hours ago

Faculty Assembly discusses antisemitic violence on campus, announces antisemitic ad-hoc committee 

On Wednesday, Nov. 6., Faculty Assembly reflected on the 2024 presidential election, addressed recent acts…

7 hours ago

DePasquale, Democrat watch party brings feelings of optimism in the community

A watch party held at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers for Pennsylvania attorney general candidate…

7 hours ago