Music is entering into an exciting new phase. When Jay-Z and Linkin Park's collaborative album, Collision Course, hit the streets in 2001, it was hailed by many as one of most important 'mash-ups' of the modern era. Keep in mind, this was right around the same time that the first iPod was released. In 2012, the phrase 'mash-up' is on the brink of losing its relevance. A host of new age groups are shedding once definitive terms such as genre, instead electing to create their own concepts of musicality. Unlike past generations, modern youth are developing in an age where having an eclectic mix of music on a 160 GB iPod is not out of the norm.
Take nineteen year old Kids These Days singer Macie Stewart, who listens to songwriter St. Vincent and indie dance band Rubblebucket, but also enjoys J-Dilla, Mos Def, and New Division Gospel Choir. The main difference between mash-ups such as Collision Course and Kids These Days's Traphouse Rock, which releases October 30th, is the nature of their production. While "Collision Course" was a forced hybrid of two preexisting acts, Kids These Days is an organic mix of a variety of genres that came into its own under one banner. Energetic emcee Vic Mensa, bluesy power singer Liam Cunningham and jazzy pop crooner Macie Stewart form the vocal nucleus of a band that also includes trumpeter Nico Segal, trombonist J.P. Floyd, drummer Greg Landfair, and bassist Lane Beckstrom.
Take nineteen year old Kids These Days singer Macie Stewart, who listens to songwriter St. Vincent and indie dance band Rubblebucket, but also enjoys J-Dilla, Mos Def, and New Division Gospel Choir. The main difference between mash-ups such as Collision Course and Kids These Days's Traphouse Rock, which releases October 30th, is the nature of their production. While "Collision Course" was a forced hybrid of two preexisting acts, Kids These Days is an organic mix of a variety of genres that came into its own under one banner. Energetic emcee Vic Mensa, bluesy power singer Liam Cunningham and jazzy pop crooner Macie Stewart form the vocal nucleus of a band that also includes trumpeter Nico Segal, trombonist J.P. Floyd, drummer Greg Landfair, and bassist Lane Beckstrom.
The group formed years ago when four of the group members began making music as part of an after-school arts program. Soon, the group grew and after-school practices transitioned into full-fledged writing sessions in Cunningham's basement. The group's stock has risen rapidly since their formation. Only a year before performing during primetime hours at major music festival Lollapalooza in 2011, Mensa was hospitalized after falling off a fence trying to sneak into the same show. Fast-forward to 2012, and the group is witnessing their full length debut, Traphouse Rock, being streamed on Rolling Stone Magazine's website a day before its release. The fifteen-track project is a rarity even in the modern era of hybridity and new sounds. Many have already heard their amazingly menacing, raucous single "Don't Harsh My Mellow," but this is only one side of the group's musical range. Listeners will be treated to a huge variety of musical influences and deviations that will prove salient to almost any palate at different times.
Take, for example, the adrenaline-pumping "GHETTO," which combines the melody of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teens Spirit" with strong vocals from Vic Mensa reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, gradually descending into a roaring maelstrom of grandiose horns and roaring guitar. Then contrast that with "L'Afrique," which opens with beautifully intricate piano, delicate trumpet runs, and crystal clear vocals from Macie and transitions into introspective lyrics from Mensa accented by softly pounding steel drums. Each track is a thoughtfully crafted sonic exploration that continues to develop from beginning to end. Mensa explains that "Traphouse Rock has been in the works since the first day we became a band, especially the idea and premise behind the project." This is evident throughout Traphouse Rock, as every member of the group adds their individual prowess to each track in a meaningful way.
One of the most endearing characteristics of Traphouse Rock is the way that the group manages to draw from the music of many artists from different eras and scenes to fashion music that is both familiar and fresh at the same time, combining old with new. Macie elaborates that "we typically just describe our style as Traphouse Rock, because it would take forever if we wanted to really go in depth and describe the entirety of our style." Kids These Days stands out even amidst an era of hybrid groups, due to the authenticity of each component of their group. I'm a huge fan of hybrid groups such as Brooklyn's Phony Ppl and North Carolina's The Beast, who also combine elements from many different genres to form a cohesive product.
Kids These Days is in a class by itself because of the ease with which it transitions between dramatically contrasting sounds. Phony Ppl and The Beast seem to have both perfected a balancing act amidst genres. Kids These Days, on the other hand, seems to be participating in a dynamic, fluctuating tug of war between influences, in which the entire group effortlessly transforms into a jazz swing band, a rock-rap clique, or an acoustic folk group at the flip of a switch. When Macie says that Kids These Days has "some of everything," she really means it. This is by no means an indictment of Phony Ppl and The Beast, which are two excellent examples of musical innovation and excellence. Instead, this is meant to give a clear description of why Kids These Days is as groundbreaking as it is. The group is currently in the midst of a phase in which they pursue whatever deviation they see fit, leading to an album that is beautifully unpredictable, despite at times lacking sing-a-long compatibility that many will crave.
Kids These Days is in a class by itself because of the ease with which it transitions between dramatically contrasting sounds. Phony Ppl and The Beast seem to have both perfected a balancing act amidst genres. Kids These Days, on the other hand, seems to be participating in a dynamic, fluctuating tug of war between influences, in which the entire group effortlessly transforms into a jazz swing band, a rock-rap clique, or an acoustic folk group at the flip of a switch. When Macie says that Kids These Days has "some of everything," she really means it. This is by no means an indictment of Phony Ppl and The Beast, which are two excellent examples of musical innovation and excellence. Instead, this is meant to give a clear description of why Kids These Days is as groundbreaking as it is. The group is currently in the midst of a phase in which they pursue whatever deviation they see fit, leading to an album that is beautifully unpredictable, despite at times lacking sing-a-long compatibility that many will crave.
When Traphouse Rock releases tomorrow, the group will not be idly sitting by or celebrating. Instead, they will be on their way to San Diego to begin their tour with rapper Asher Roth. Such is the life of a talented clique that is stlll gaining traction, still finding themselves, and still learning. Man still have not heard of Kids These Days, and it becomes clear that despite the magnitude of Traphouse Rock, the group is still coming into its own and exploring its sound. This is a group that began as friends, using that chemistry to grow into much more while maintaining their sense of camaraderie and humor, as evidenced by a recent show in Madison, Wisconsin where the entire band wore zombie makeup for the duration of their performance. As Macie says, "we still need to explore more of what we can create within ourselves. Everybody has so many talents. Nico plays trumpet but also has a cool voice and does poetry. Liam, the guitarist, can play keys as well. There's just a whole bunch of different things we can explore." If Traphouse Rock is any indication, these talented Chicago youth will find themselves exploring before an exponentially larger audience in the near future.
Stream "Traphouse Rock" in its entirety courtesy of Rolling Stone, and look to download the project tomorrow.
Stream "Traphouse Rock" in its entirety courtesy of Rolling Stone, and look to download the project tomorrow.
such a dope group.. redefining music with every track they release. so ridiculously proud of what these kids have been able to accomplish in their careers so far. Chicago stand up!!
ReplyDeletethis was a really well-written article. it was incredibly fitting for the band.
ReplyDeleteWow. I think they liked it.
ReplyDelete