Sometimes when writing a review you really want to know lots of information about the artists behind it: their background, musical history, other projects etc. It's interesting because it puts the music into a context which often changes your viewpoint, and whilst it might not reveal anything completely new to you about the music, it will often bring out different areas of focus. Sometimes though it's quite refreshing to listen to a song with very little information about the artists involved, and such is the case with C4: Choice Cold Cuts Complete.
A.L.I.P.A. is the opening track and first single from C4 Compilation, a record which sees Blanko Basnet, Beauty World, Dille Two Step, Manifinessetiny, Gappa Mighty, Tommy Rau, JLa and LiLa come together in various combinations. These may not all be names you're familiar with, and other than North Carolina alt-pop group Blanko Basnet there isn't a huge amount of information about them available. In a way though that doesn't really matter, particularly with a track that's as enveloping and addictive as this. It adds an element of mystery and intrigue to a track that might otherwise have become too defined by the background of those involved.
If you imagine Jamie XX, Grimes and Toro Y Moi producing a slightly abnormal summer banger together then you might get a rough picture of what this sounds like. The track is a catchy combination of EDM beats and pulsating bass with soulful vocals and luxurious walls of chillwave synths. While the track definitely has an atmospheric element to it, it also feels very immediate, with the instrumentation feeling decisive and present throughout. There's lots of smart details in the track too, with the echoing speech samples in the background and the layering vocal harmonies that seem to wash over each other like a wave crashing over another wave.
I don't think the production is perfect, the bass is perhaps unnecessarily wobbly for 2021, and the vocals are quite loud in the mix. However, considering how much is going on here with the different cut-up sounds that streak through the track and the mix of synthetic and organic instrumentation, it's very strong and provides both an individual recognition of those elements and an intoxicating blend of them all. It's a highly catchy tune too, and the hook in the chorus is really well crafted, creating a true focal point for the track to revolve around.
It's hard to know exactly what to expect from the rest of this record but, judging by the quality of A.L.I.P.A. this should be a particularly wonderful compilation. They describe it themselves as a record to "forget the year 2020", and that certainly seems to be where things are headed. There is, however, something rather forward looking about it that goes beyond mere escapism and provides a positive, confident and inspirational ambience.
C4 Compilation by C4: Choice Cold Cuts Complete is released on May 4th 2021 via ODDcrew Records.
You can listen to A.L.I.P.A and pre-order the record on Bandcamp.
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