Fred, Again…
Usually I get hooked on an album and play it on loop until I wear it out and move on to the next thing, but this time it’s 3 albums. It’s 3 album’s by this British guy Fred Again… I think everyone knows of him now, rightfully so. the man is beyond talented, just a wildly gifted musical mind. He makes the most emotionally expressive electronic music I’ve ever heard.
Fred again.. is a British music producer, songwriter, and DJ making waves with his unique blend of heartfelt lyrics and innovative beats. I first became aware of him when the album he made with Brian Eno came out, and I really liked it but I didn't investigate who Fred was at that time.
it wasn’t until his NPR tiny desk concert popped up on my youtube feed and blew me away that I dug into the mountains of music he’s made, and just kept getting totally blown away by how good it is, and how different from everything else. I have never heard electronic music get anywhere close to the emotional content and impact of Fred’s music, honestly I haven't heard a lot of music touch the nerves that his tracks hit so gracefully.
If you’ve seen me around NYC with my headphones on this spring or summer, there’s a good chance I’m listening to one of 3 “Actual Life” albums. I was going to try to choose one, but I cant I love them equally. I want to share them with you and tell you to just press play, and let it ride…no need for skipping around. Its all cohesive like a DJ set, but there’s a piano somehow. He does it live! He Hedlined Bonnaroo days ago, that’s a big gig for one guy.
He does social media like I do, little behind the scenes reels all of the time, random stuff from studios and touring. He looks like he’s having a great time being 30 at the center of a musical universe, and its uplifting to watch.
I’m telling you listening to this stuff and watching his performances on YouTube changes the way I look at and understand music, it expands my idea of what’s possible or what the rules of music allow (there aren't any rules of music, it turns out). It’s funny that there’s music that makes me see all of this just as i’m easing into using a new tool to create music (AI).
give these a listen if you have even the passing interest in IDM (intelligent dance music, I think you’ll be as impressed as I am.
