Classical Curves
Classical Curves | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 28 May 2012 | |||
Recorded | spring–summer 2011 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 39:58 | |||
Label | Night Slugs | |||
Producer | Jam City | |||
Jam City chronology | ||||
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Classical Curves is the debut
Background and production
The press release for Classical Curves, published by Night Slugs in April 2012, detailed it as being 'a record that owes equal parts to Philly Club as it does to Laurie Anderson, The Neptunes as it does to Einstürzende Neubauten, Steve Poindexter as it does to the soft jazz leads of Pat Metheny.[1] It detailed Jam City's own atmospheric intents, noting almost synesthetic details about its musical textures and sound palette.
We are engulfed in booming, monolithic kick drums/We are floating on a pink cloud. We are thrashed and contorted by sheets of metal/We are suspended in breathy quiet of sighing voices and raindrops kissing the windowpane – and then it erupts again.[1]
Jam City aimed to tailor his productions towards the club environment, noting "...when you’re forced to experience that in a club it brings it to life in a totally different way, and I think the more you go to clubs and hear music on a really loud soundsystem, the more you’re able to try and write music for that environment. You think about space and shape a bit more." On this basis, he attempted to "make [his music] more and more minimal". He also noted that he was becoming fascinated by the 'aesthetics of wealth and the modern world', "like mansions in
Multiple tracks on Classical Curves, such as "Her", "The Courts" and "How We Relate to the Body" use staccato-based rhythms directly inspired by Jersey club music.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Pitchfork | 7.3/10[9] |
Resident Advisor | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Classical Curves appeared in multiple end-of-year lists and received positive review from the press. Rory Gibb of The Quietus called it "one of the most interesting album-length listens to come from a UK club producer in a while, [...] a reminder that many sub-heavy dancefloors post-dubstep ought often to be demanding more for their money."[11] Fact magazine's Tom Lea said "Both Classical Curves and Girl Unit’s recent Club Rez feel like they could mark the start of a new stage for Night Slugs. Not only are they among the best records that the label’s put out in its short but impressive history..." and called it "one of 2012’s best and most provocative albums."[12] It also appeared at number 7 in their "Best of 2012", where it was described as "easily the most modern-sounding record on this list" and "an album that surprised, disoriented and delighted at every turn."[13]
Influence and legacy
In the years since the release, the influence of Classical Curves on Latham's musical peers has been noted, especially in the post-
"At the time of release, Classical Curves sounded unlike anything that had come before. Although packed with references to
stop-start; the drums exploded like malfunctioning machinery; and all recognisable sounds had been re-rendered with a hyperreal gloss sheen. Perhaps more than any electronic album of the decade, Classical Curves sounded unrelentingly like the future. Today, the album's sonic hallmarks are still being rehashed and reinterpreted to create some of the most exciting, exhilarating and bewildering moments found on the dancefloor."[19]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Backseat Becomes a Zone While We Glide" | 1:34 |
2. | "Her" | 2:28 |
3. | "The Courts" | 4:25 |
4. | "B.A.D." | 4:15 |
5. | "How We Relate to the Body" | 5:20 |
6. | "Club Thanz" | 3:45 |
7. | "Hyatt Park Nights Pt. 1" | 5:03 |
8. | "Hyatt Park Nights Pt. 2" | 2:07 |
9. | "Strawberries" | 4:05 |
10. | "Love Is Real" | 6:56 |
11. | "The Nite Life" (featuring Main Attrakionz) | 4:33 |
References
- ^ a b "Spectrm's Blog Of Wonders". www.spectrm.co.uk. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- ^ Jam City Dummy Mag Interview
- ^ Wilson, Sophie (25 March 2015). "Weekly Listening: Earl Sweatshirt, Diana Tribute, Jam City and more". Wireless. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis. "Jam City: Dream a Garden review – modern psychedelia with a dark edge". Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ Fox, Killian (22 March 2015). "Jam City: Dream a Garden review – a departure from Jack Latham's glossy debut". Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Clash Music review
- ^ Fact
- ^ Pitchfork Media review
- ^ Resident Advisor review
- ^ The Quietus
- ^ Fact Magazine Review
- ^ Fact Mag 50 Best Albums of 2012
- ^ Resident Advisor Review
- ^ Pitchfork Music Review
- ^ The Quietus - Bok Bok's Favourite Albums
- ^ "The 100 best albums of the decade so far". 3 November 2014.
- ^ a b Reynolds, Simon (10 October 2019). "The Rise of Conceptronica". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ a b "The top 100 albums of the decade". Crack Magazine. 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
External links
Classical Curves at Discogs (list of releases)