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.