THUNDERCAT

APOCALYPSE (Brainfeeder)

16/20

Let’s be honest, there’s something intimidating about the signifier ‘jazz bass virtuoso’. While some are blessed with an ear patient enough to delve into epic space-funk odysseys, most of our scatty, digitally fried brains reject improvs and weird time signatures as ‘overindulgent’. But fear not, because although Flying Lotus’ insanely talented confidant Thundercat noodles the frets as if each hand possesses twelve digits, his second full-length Apocalypse is actually an irresistible summer record. The formula is epitomised on the anthemic disco banger Oh Sheit It’s X, where near-fluid bass notes wiggle underneath a synth lead so catchy it’d eclipse Get Lucky from the radio if Brainfeeder had a multi-million promotional budget. FlyLo’s name is listed as the album’s co-producer, and he makes his presence clear with the astral synths on the lovesick lead single Heartbreaks + Setbacks as well as Tron Song, where a broken hip-hop beat classifies a style of neo-soul that’s far too unpredictable and synesthesia-inducing to find itself gently piping through the soundsystem at the Chichester branch of The Slug and Lettuce. Apocalypse might be an exercise in musical proficiency, but in this instance, the audience are having as much fun as the guy who’s making it.

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Words: David Reed