Leaky Pipes: Flying Lotus Returns with Until the Quiet Comes

A nice trend Flatted Third has shown lately is the welcoming of fall, and with it, the onslaught of new and season-appropriate music. Also, right off the heels of Kyle's 3 Huge October Albums mini-list, we are treated with an early listen of Flying Lotus' new album Until the Quiet Comes. And what a treat it is.

Electronic music is new to me. I was only introduced to it 3 or 4 years ago by close friends in college. Looking at all the music that comes from it though scares me sometimes, which got me a bit nervous about writing this review. Electronic music has so many sub-genres it just became a confusing mess to me (which is odd because you can say the same thing about metal for the most part). I've thankfully come to a point  where I know what my style is and what I like, and Flying Lotus is top of the list.

For old listeners, Until the Quiet Comes will feel pretty familiar to his first album, 1983. Filled with a blend of nu-jazz and hip-hop influenced beats, Flying Lotus was able to make a name for himself - something other than "that guy who creates the music for bumps on Adult Swim." But with his newest release, we see a whole new DJ. This is part of Flying Lotus' appeal; he strives to evolve and challenge himself with every album he releases. With this new LP, get ready to be treated with more jazz influenced hip-hop beats, but with a more low beat sound and tempo to it.

The first track "All In" sets the mood for the entire album. Unlike Cosmogramma's insane opener, you're treated with a much calmer beat, leading into one of the best tracks on the album "Getting There". For a majority of the first half, old fans will notice a much more polished, lo-fi beat. Things seem to meld together fluidly, sending the listener into a sort of calming zen -- which for me, blends together appropriately with the upcoming fall season. "Sultan's Request" and Putty Boy Strut" feel like classic cuts that would've fit easily on any previous LP he's released. The latter half of this album does provide some of the more weaker material (though I say this lightly). "Only If You Wanna" feels reminiscent of a Nicolas Jaar track; lazy beats over some slight horns breaks the whole mood of the album.

Until the Quiet Comes does a fantastic job keeping a certain pace and feel, throughout its whole listen. From start to finish, Flying Lotus is able to throw in his signature mixes and beats ("See Thru to U", "Electric Candyman") while incorporating a whole new side to his constantly evolving releases. For some fans, this may be a big change of pace from what he's previously recorded. Yes, a few tracks do sound lazy, but this is an unbelievable release. Flying Lotus is a good showcase in just how far an artist is willing to go to keep his music fresh and fun, and for him, it works perfectly.

Grade: A

For fans of: Bibio, Burial, Fourtet, Madvillian

Check out his new video for the song "Putty Boy Stut" off the new LP