Nosaj Thing – Fated

A blissful and Ambient Noise

Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Jason Chung, better known as Nosaj Thing, has been using turntables and the computer to make music since he was 12 years old. His longtime love and appreciation for music is obvious in his latest LP, Fated. With this work, Chung has further made known that he is extremely good at creating an ambient downtempo sound that is very calming.

One of the downsides to Fated is the lack of evolution within the tracks. Meaning, they are too short to provide many lasting impressions. Listeners do not get the chance to become invested in each track because of how fast practically every one of them vanishes.

On that note, one song in particular is just the right length to become engrossed in the sound, but it doesn’t outwarm its welcome. This song is “Don’t Mind Me,” which is a collaboration with Whoarei. For lack of better way to put it, this track features chipmunk-like vocals with warm textures courtesy of Nosaj. This is memorable because of the different vibe and feelings that it represents. It’s filled with emotion and soul. The two seem to weave a track that is different from the other songs on the album. It’s nice to see Chung mix things up a little bit and experiment further with new sounds and producers.

Another collaboration that people have already started talking about is with Chance The Rapper. He contributes his vocals to “Cold Stares,” which is a haunting track that also has clever and catchy lyrics. Chance raps, “Silent and solemn / Smeagol to Gollum / evil done got him.” The song is about a heroin addict and his battles with personal demons. It’s dark and the beats constructed by Nosaj Thing make it even more stirring.

With Fated, Chung has found a middle ground between simple and overly complex. His sounds are not filled with complex structures, but they are never boring or just simple. His music is somewhere in between, which is typically such a difficult task to accomplish. In spite of the difficulty, Chung manages to make it look easy with his work. This isn’t the album for listeners who want something to dance along to, it’s for those who want to relax and marvel in the music.