Album Of The Week: Flying Lotus’ You’re Dead!

An artist known to dabble in experimentation, Flying Lotus manages to take it to a higher level with each release. His new album, You’re Dead! takes you on a multi-dimensional electronic jazz-hop journey into the afterlife as he examines all facets of death the best way he can. It’s  quite a treasure and shows that he’s very worthy of being in the same bloodline as jazz legend John Coltrane. Truly being all over the place rhythmically and structurally, at first listen you never know what to expect from Flying Lotus’ new album. The only thing you should expect is that this thing of beauty will absolutely please the senses.

Featuring a bunch of collaborations with the likes of hip-hop phenom Kendrick Lamar, the one and only Snoop Dogg, jazz funk virtuoso Herbie Hancock and New Zealand pop sensation Kimbra among others, each track brings something different to the table. One can have some sick guitar riffs in an instrumental track while another one can possess a lot of soul and sensuality. A complete smorgasbord of creativity — pick a song and bask in its greatness. Flying Lotus’ willingness to delve even further outside the box and push his limitations shows how much talent he has and how amazing his new album is.

Get ready, get freaky and get crazy. Actually you should just calm down and relax. It’s time for the top tracks off of my album of the week. So take it easy and dive in, you might even learn something.

I like the elegance of the piano keys melding with the feverish beats in “Never Catch Me,” Lamar’s rhymes definitely fit well and add a touch of an intensity on a velvety track. You get a dose of legend in “Moment Of Hesitation” when Hancock unleashes superb tones from his keyboard to make for a wonderful jazzy number. A great example of the awesome guitar riffs is “Turkey Dog Coma,” jazzy as hell with a tad bit of grit along with excellent drumming.

Flying Lotus will make a stop at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston on October 17. I guarantee you won’t know what to expect from him live, but I can also guarantee that it’ll be fantastic.While you’re there, pick up a copy of the new album. It’s bound to make you come alive in ways few things can.

Flying Lotus’ website: http://flying-lotus.com