I was struck by your mention of “young people’s music” in relation to Jamie XX, Floating Points and Caribou given that none of those producers - and I’d argue only a subset of their audiences- are actually that young. I think the simplest answer to the questions you raise is that these producers and listeners, now largely in their late 30s and 40s, grew up with 90s dance music: referencing it in their productions is just a straightforward appeal to nostalgia.
I guess they are younger than me! Doesn't Jamie XX have a young audience? I don't honestly know. But I think when I start to talk about "young people's music" is it more moving on to a general point about the veneration / importance of young people and their musical tastes, rather than these three examples. (I was probably also thinking about Fred Again, who I kind of lump in with those three.) I have no problem with nostalgia but for me it needs to be done well. So you don't just use a vast sample of RIP Groove or Pump Up The Volume. Dig a little...!
I know what you mean about Jamie XX’s music - I kinda sorta like it, and that's been the case for a long time, but it seems to be the sort of affection where I forget it exists until it pops back up on shuffle.
I'm always a bit surprised at how massive he is, while at the same time realising it makes total sense given what he offers to the modern world - if you know what I mean? A kind of uncommital, accessible, highly palatable facsimile of the underground. I don't doubt that he's authentic in his love for the music he's inspired by, but I've never quite connected with anything he's put out, despite trying to.
I think "kinda sorta like it" is quite a common reaction to his music. And that's fine. I imagine that I probably like a lot of the same records as Jamie XX, which makes me wonder why don't like his music more. I don't particularly like The xx either, although people do seem really devoted to them.
A great post this week, Ben! Also interesting that you have Hodge's "Free" in there -- I couldn't quite get with that song (never been a fan of diva-house vocals, I'm afraid), but I love the B-side, "Right There" (which, interestingly, has an absolutely ICONIC hip-hop sample in it).
thank you! Right There is a great song - but I LOVE diva-house vocals and I think Free is one of my songs of the year. He just nails the underground / overground thing for me.
I was struck by your mention of “young people’s music” in relation to Jamie XX, Floating Points and Caribou given that none of those producers - and I’d argue only a subset of their audiences- are actually that young. I think the simplest answer to the questions you raise is that these producers and listeners, now largely in their late 30s and 40s, grew up with 90s dance music: referencing it in their productions is just a straightforward appeal to nostalgia.
(Equally, I may well be wrong, of course.)
I guess they are younger than me! Doesn't Jamie XX have a young audience? I don't honestly know. But I think when I start to talk about "young people's music" is it more moving on to a general point about the veneration / importance of young people and their musical tastes, rather than these three examples. (I was probably also thinking about Fred Again, who I kind of lump in with those three.) I have no problem with nostalgia but for me it needs to be done well. So you don't just use a vast sample of RIP Groove or Pump Up The Volume. Dig a little...!
I know what you mean about Jamie XX’s music - I kinda sorta like it, and that's been the case for a long time, but it seems to be the sort of affection where I forget it exists until it pops back up on shuffle.
I'm always a bit surprised at how massive he is, while at the same time realising it makes total sense given what he offers to the modern world - if you know what I mean? A kind of uncommital, accessible, highly palatable facsimile of the underground. I don't doubt that he's authentic in his love for the music he's inspired by, but I've never quite connected with anything he's put out, despite trying to.
I think "kinda sorta like it" is quite a common reaction to his music. And that's fine. I imagine that I probably like a lot of the same records as Jamie XX, which makes me wonder why don't like his music more. I don't particularly like The xx either, although people do seem really devoted to them.
Can I be basic and ask what this means? "a like-gate giveaway"
oh sure, sorry. It's a (rather outdated) music marketing idea, whereby you give someone a reward (often an MP3) in return for liking a post.
huh, thank you. Surprised I've never heard of it.
Anyway - totally agree - the album has no grit whatsover, like too much prosecco
A great post this week, Ben! Also interesting that you have Hodge's "Free" in there -- I couldn't quite get with that song (never been a fan of diva-house vocals, I'm afraid), but I love the B-side, "Right There" (which, interestingly, has an absolutely ICONIC hip-hop sample in it).
thank you! Right There is a great song - but I LOVE diva-house vocals and I think Free is one of my songs of the year. He just nails the underground / overground thing for me.