For those that haven't experienced Hopkins, keep in mind Wonky Angle here is being extremely fair as a review of Jon Hopkins compared to his other works. Don't underestimate the very gracious prelude Wonky is giving Hopkins here as one of the most unique and forward-thinking electronic producers out there right now, give a few tracks a tray. It's an astonishing level of attention to detail that makes this stuff incredible, even if it's not heavily layered (the more minimalist approach is part of what allows you to focus on those details as well). Also Wonky, that fading varying bass on Everything Connected. O_O
Personally I thought this album was excellent up until the end, whilst Luminous Beings did have some gorgeous moments, i'd say C O S M was the last really great track on the record. Still a really strong album overall, I like immunity more but this is def one of the best electronic records so far this year imo, great review dude 👊
Interesting to hear you weren't such a fan of Neon Pattern Drum, that was the real standout track for me. I like the album very much, I don't think it's got quite the weight or hint of darkness and intensity Immunity has, but it will definitely get many relistens from me. But I can't say I disagree with many of your points, it is a bit long and meandering toward the end for my personal taste, although I've said that before and those moments have grown to be my favourite on other albums. We'll see.
The problem with this album for me is pretty much the same problem everyone else has. The albums structure is to simular to Immunity but feels hollow. He should have changed the pattern and maybe just had one minimalist piano track.
I definitely really like this album, though it does feel like “Immunity Pt. 2”, and it has taken me longer to get into, despite my literal adoration of Immunity. Immunity was almost definitely my favorite album of 2013, and the soundtrack to so many great times during my senior year of college, so I wasn’t expecting this to top that album anyway. I definitely will say that the more techno/dance oriented tracks of this album are as good as those on the first half of Immunity, and that’s saying something, but where this album falls short for me are the more ambient/downtempo tracks. The more ambient tracks on Immunity, like the title track, and “Sun Harmonics” were equally as amazing as the first half of that album, but that can’t be said here. I’ve seen many ppl complain about heavy comparisons between the two albums, but I think that’s an impossible request almost. I’d definitely give it a solid 8 as well.
So I've put together a list of albums/artists you should look at 1. Secede - Tryshasla - - You should LOOOVEEE this! 2. Kettel - Wingtip - - This too! 3. Virtual Self - Virtual Self - - Although you might not give it a high score, I still want to see you review it 4. The Algorithm - Anything really, I'd love to see what you think of more metal-ish electronic music 5. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy - - Just cause :) 6. Sunset Neon - Sunset Neon - It's a Celldweller situation again with a rock guy doing Synthwave! Give a listen! 7. Fox Stevenson - Whole discography (Quite small) - He's an interesting case ;)
The only song I know by Jon Hopkins is Light Through Your Veigns because coldplay sampled the same melody and recording in The Escapist (hidden track combined on track ten with Death And All His Friends) and Life In Technicolor One from Coldplay's Fourth Album Viva LA Vida (Spanish For Long Live Life) Or Death And All His Friends
I had high hopes for this one. In the end it sounds like more of the same. More of the same Jon Hopkins sound, arrangement and melodies. Is it good? Sure. It's awesome to listen to, but if you get reminded of an older track every couple of minutes it feels strange. Pretty sure Jon will drop some better albums in the future.
I do agree with you on some points, it being similar to Frahm is not relatable to me... Jon hopkins old work and style is way more cinematic in the way it sounds, Luminous beings for me is the best electronic song of the decade together with Says and Nils frahm
I'm really starting to get disillusioned about the recent constant avalanche of dull electronic music that all sounds the same. Makes me wish I was pretentious enough to get excited about shoveling money into the furnace for those guys/gals and shit on amazing albums like Singularity.
For those that haven't experienced Hopkins, keep in mind Wonky Angle here is being extremely fair as a review of Jon Hopkins compared to his other works. Don't underestimate the very gracious prelude Wonky is giving Hopkins here as one of the most unique and forward-thinking electronic producers out there right now, give a few tracks a tray. It's an astonishing level of attention to detail that makes this stuff incredible, even if it's not heavily layered (the more minimalist approach is part of what allows you to focus on those details as well).
Also Wonky, that fading varying bass on Everything Connected. O_O
Personally I thought this album was excellent up until the end, whilst Luminous Beings did have some gorgeous moments, i'd say C O S M was the last really great track on the record. Still a really strong album overall, I like immunity more but this is def one of the best electronic records so far this year imo, great review dude 👊
Interesting to hear you weren't such a fan of Neon Pattern Drum, that was the real standout track for me.
I like the album very much, I don't think it's got quite the weight or hint of darkness and intensity Immunity has, but it will definitely get many relistens from me. But I can't say I disagree with many of your points, it is a bit long and meandering toward the end for my personal taste, although I've said that before and those moments have grown to be my favourite on other albums. We'll see.
The problem with this album for me is pretty much the same problem everyone else has. The albums structure is to simular to Immunity but feels hollow. He should have changed the pattern and maybe just had one minimalist piano track.
I definitely really like this album, though it does feel like “Immunity Pt. 2”, and it has taken me longer to get into, despite my literal adoration of Immunity. Immunity was almost definitely my favorite album of 2013, and the soundtrack to so many great times during my senior year of college, so I wasn’t expecting this to top that album anyway. I definitely will say that the more techno/dance oriented tracks of this album are as good as those on the first half of Immunity, and that’s saying something, but where this album falls short for me are the more ambient/downtempo tracks. The more ambient tracks on Immunity, like the title track, and “Sun Harmonics” were equally as amazing as the first half of that album, but that can’t be said here. I’ve seen many ppl complain about heavy comparisons between the two albums, but I think that’s an impossible request almost. I’d definitely give it a solid 8 as well.
So I've put together a list of albums/artists you should look at
1. Secede - Tryshasla - - You should LOOOVEEE this!
2. Kettel - Wingtip - - This too!
3. Virtual Self - Virtual Self - - Although you might not give it a high score, I still want to see you review it
4. The Algorithm - Anything really, I'd love to see what you think of more metal-ish electronic music
5. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy - - Just cause :)
6. Sunset Neon - Sunset Neon - It's a Celldweller situation again with a rock guy doing Synthwave! Give a listen!
7. Fox Stevenson - Whole discography (Quite small) - He's an interesting case ;)
THIS.
SO MANY FREAKING GEMS
Thank you. I hadn't heard of all of these. I would also suggest "Balam Acab - Wander Wonder"
The only song I know by Jon Hopkins is Light Through Your Veigns because coldplay sampled the same melody and recording in The Escapist (hidden track combined on track ten with Death And All His Friends) and Life In Technicolor One from Coldplay's Fourth Album Viva LA Vida (Spanish For Long Live Life) Or Death And All His Friends
9.3/10
Best Tracks: “Singularity”, “Emerald Rush”, “Neon Pattern Drum”, “Everything Connected”, “Feel First Life”, “Echo Dissolve”, “Luminous Beings”
Worst Track: “Recovery”
Great review!
I thought it was good too but it didn’t wow me it was just like “yeah this is pleasant”
I had high hopes for this one. In the end it sounds like more of the same. More of the same Jon Hopkins sound, arrangement and melodies. Is it good? Sure. It's awesome to listen to, but if you get reminded of an older track every couple of minutes it feels strange. Pretty sure Jon will drop some better albums in the future.
>5 mins after upload
>4 dislikes and 1 like
oof
I do agree with you on some points, it being similar to Frahm is not relatable to me... Jon hopkins old work and style is way more cinematic in the way it sounds, Luminous beings for me is the best electronic song of the decade together with Says and Nils frahm
Hey, can you do German Engineering by Virtual Riot :)
the disrespect to just do a brief discography
Thought you'd give this a 7 by how critical you were of the thing at parts
I did change my mind a little after posting and update it to a 7.7 in the description lol
I'm really starting to get disillusioned about the recent constant avalanche of dull electronic music that all sounds the same. Makes me wish I was pretentious enough to get excited about shoveling money into the furnace for those guys/gals and shit on amazing albums like Singularity.
Solarstone 1 & 2? Yes, his latest two records lol.
Pattern Patterned
Hopsin