A Trippy Retro-Electro Experience

Keeping a low profile and remaining largely out of the limelight of the music industry, electronic music producer TOBACCO has once again resurfaced to release his fifth solo project, Ripe and Majestic. Even though little is known about the personal life of TOBACCO, there is no doubt behind the quality of work that he releases, this includes his latest release Ripe and Majestic. TOBACCO also serves as the front man for psychedelic rock band Black Moth Super Rainbow.

Ripe and Majestic makes heavy uses of analog synthesizers, a signature production technique that TOBACCO has mastered over the years. The synths are layers beautifully over other well arranged and rhythmic drum patterns that make for an amazing listening experience. One track that really exemplifies these traits is the eighth song on the album, “Grape Aerosmith,” which features thick melodic synths layered over hip-hop infused drum patterns. Beck is also a featured artist on this track.

The album is quite lengthy sitting at 24 tracks long and it is entirely instrumental. There is also quite a bit of experimentation on the album through the use of the analog synthesizers, which are combined with the hip-hop infused drum patterns.

One excellent example of this combination comes on track three, “Slaughtered By The Amway Guy.” The track has an otherworldly feel to it and at times feels flat out trippy. It also makes great use of the hip-hop drum patterns which create an all around great listening experience.

This same vibe is carried into the next track, “Higher Kind of Thing.” Even though this track has less of the hip-hop feel to it, it still maintains a strong ethereal vibe. The track is a lot more laid back than the previous and is reminiscent of chillwave.

The experimental hip-hop elements can be heard throughout the album and go nicely with TOBACCO’s signature analog synthesizers. There are even elements of trip-hop, chillwave and, one could even argue, influences from vaporwave. This can be heard especially on tracks like “Old Man Kid” and “Ming Julio,” both of which have a retro-electronic feel to them commonly found vaporwave music. All of these qualities help to create a dreamy ethereal type of experience for listeners.

This is a very strong album from TOBACCO and is sure to please listeners of experimental electronic music. The left field, retro feel to the album give it a unique sound that fans are sure to appreciate.