New York City-based experimental art-rock group, Battles, debut their latest single “Fort Greene Park” off the duo’s fourth studio album Juice B Crypts which was released Friday October 18 via Warp Records. The track infuses electronic and rock melodies that permeates Battles’ signature instrumentation. “Fort Greene Park” showcases what Battles brings to the table in regards to their latest musical offering.
According to a press release, “Fort Greene Park” is a track that begins with “… a beautiful, somber synth melody and building with a steady, controlled pace, the track sees a signature, wailing Ian Williams guitar riff perfectly complemented and amplified with John Stanier’s pounding, in the pocket groove on drums. From there, they slowly add more synth and guitar melodies while the drums continue to pound, ramping up the tension to a thrilling crescendo and emotive release.” Battles formed back in 2002 originally as a four man outfit which consisted of Tyondai Braxton (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Dave Kanopka (bass guitar/effects), Ian Williams (guitar/keyboards) and John Stanier (drums/percussion). Braxton left the group in 2010 and as of recently the band has been reduced to a duo as of last year, with the departure of Kanopka.
In order to adapt, the remaining members of Battles, Willams and Stanier have persevered together and recorded their latest album Juice B Crypts which was “…produced and mixed by Chris Tabron (Trash Talk, Beyonce, Mobb Deep, Ratking). Marrying synthesizer loops, cut-throat drum patterns, and cyclical riffs, the album flirts with new technology, questions of authenticity, and the technicalities of reinventing the wheel at the eleventh hour.” The encompassing events that lead up to the release of Battles’ latest material makes for compelling music by way of what Battles is already established in doing with their music, experimentation. Juice B Crypts “…boasts a diverse and impressive list of creative collaborators and guests, including Taipei-based psychedelic band Prairie WWWW, Yes vocalist Jon Anderson, Shabazz Palaces, Sal Principato of No Wave icons Liquid Liquid, and tUnE-yArDs.”
According to The Line of Best Fit, Williams explains what went into the recording process of Juice B Crypts saying, “It’s about chord progressions, resolutions, returning home. Take that and throw it into a blender of modern electronic tools like glitching devices, or use melodic lines and take them and regurgitate them and pulverise the traditional stuff but at the same time try and retain harmonic relationships while completely smashing them up.”
To listen to “Fort Greene Park” stream below, via YouTube.
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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