Citizens of the world beware. The fabric of space-time has split and from the rupture spews a confusing, engulfing sound. What you’re listening to is the epic new album from experimental producer and musical visionary, Flying Lotus. Released on Warp Records, Cosmogramma is the third full-length album by the prolific producer and, if the Californian’s music were ever described as expansive, this storming 17-track opus sets a totally new standard.
Drawing influence from innumerable sources, Flying Lotus makes the reviewer’s job hard by rendering any genre-specific descriptions useless. Instead imagine, if you can, the soundtrack to one of Andre 3000’s nightmares. Aptly described as “the Hendrix of his generation” by Mary Anne Hobbs, Flying Lotus does things with computer-based music that bend the mind. Being the nephew of Alice Coltrane, famed pianist and wife of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, it turns out that musical exploration is in fact in his blood. Cosmogramma features numerous interesting collaborations including Thom Yorke and Erykah Badu no less. Having previously supported Thom Yorke’s new band Atoms For Peace, Flying Lotus certainly has the admiration of his peers. To find out whether he also has yours check him out on tour in the UK later this year.
9/10, out 3 May 2010
Words by Mike Fawcett
