Flying Lotus - ‘Until The Quiet Comes’ [Album Review]

I’ve been waiting for God knows how long for anything by Flying Lotus. I’ve been so much of a hardcore fan of his work since first hearing the ‘Los Angeles’ album that he could throw out an empty bottle and I would still fight a fellow fan over it (ok, I’m not that much of a Flylo “groupie”, but I totally admire the incredible work he has produced over the years). Given the chance to hear the brand new forthcoming LP entitled ‘Until The Quiet Comes’ prior to the official release date of October 1st, I was excited to hear what the beat-scientist had in store for this project. We have heard some few cuts from the album plus recently got to view the supporting short film of the same name directed by Kahlil Joseph which previewed three songs from the album. With just those audio appetisers, it was enough to trigger my hunger for this album much more.

What was interesting about this year and Flylo was that we’ve seen him release some nice material on the come-up to this album. At first, hearing the songs which saw him collaborate with Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt and the mysterious Captain Murphy, I thought it would sound like of contain a few tracks on the album such as ‘Between Friends’, but with the indication from the LP’s artwork signifying something psychedelic is to be expected, there isn’t any material such as the Adult-Swim single or other Captain Murphy songs for his upcoming mixtape, which isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s a great thing as it shows the producer’s diversity and fans of the abstract producer will know just how diverse the man is.

‘All In’

The first track to the album welcomes us to delightful sounds which should warm up any ears of Flylo fans. It’s definitely got a soulful/jazzy vibe to the track to it and an element from the previous works, which will still have you locked in as a listener.

‘Getting There’ feat. Niki Randa

The first vocal collaboration on the album which starts at the end of the first track with the smooth voice of Niki Randa to wrap up the first track. First previewed in the short film, the song is melodically light and easy on the vocals with just enough singing perfectly balanced to appreciate her work and absorb the beat of the drums and romantically sweet chords played on the rhodes piano. ‘Getting There’ will a doubt be a track from the LP that will touch a fan and make them remember why they like Flying Lotus in the first place.

‘Until the Colours Come’

As track 2 comes to an end, ‘Until the Colours Come’ hits us with the brain-bubbling trippy intro which could possibly be described as “digital heaven”. The weirdness of Flylo’s work juxtaposed with what could possibly sound like music for the gates of the above really captures the audio-artist’s creativity.

‘Heave(n)’

Another track has been out for some time, but this one has been out there for quite a long while. The creation is very laid-back and after a few plays (or reloading the track from 7/8s of the track because it’s too nice to let it totally finish), you feel this one slowly but surely growing on you. Mystery is definitely embedded in this beautifully-produced cut. When the signature-style of drums kick in at 0:52 mins, I felt myself vibing with the knocks on the percussive instrument.

‘Tiny Tortures’

‘Tiny Tortures’ continues with more of this mysterious vibe from the start with the use of percussion and weird sounds which pans across your audio outputs but slowly it lifts up with soft melodies which gradually rises up to the surface to let your mind settle. 

‘All the Secrets’

The 6th track on the album begins with an abstract drum pattern, then comes in with this nice piano sample chopped and layered on top of the quick and jittery hits and beats on the drums. Quick taps of the hi hats are nicely scattered all over the piano-sampled track

‘Sultan’s Request’

On the first play of this song, I realise that I’ve actually heard this song before on an hour’s mix of electronic music but had no clue to what the track was or who by, but it’s nice to hear this piece of work in it’s full form. Commencing with a little crash sound and a solid synth to guide us through this track, more is gradually added to ‘Sultan’s Request’, with the end of the song taking a different turn on the whole vibe before return back to the melody we heard before concluding.

‘Putty Boy Strut’

I’m pretty sure the intro to this beautiful clap-driven beat could pull of as an Flying Lotus x Hudson Mohawke collaboration or even be inspired by the Scotsman himself. If not, then I think it’s time the two work on a project together. ‘Putty Boy Strut’ hits me with a nostalgic feeling of when I first heard the two producers and imediately it earns it’s place as one of my favourite cuts on the LP. Featuring bass guitars from the man, Thundercat, this then becomes a cool, soothing jam which ends with those sort of cinematic strings you’d expect to hear at the end of a black and white film.

‘See Thru to U’ feat. Erykah Badu

The first four bars of this song simply completes me. The beat sets the pace to this song which is performed throughout the song Ms. Badu provides us with some of that beautiful soul food as Flylo dishes out the deliciously bumping beats on the drums with a hand from Thundercat on the bass. Once again, this is another song fans had the chance to hear before. It’s definitely a beautiful jam which ends with the vocals backed with no beat, just her and some soulful chords before blending into the next track.

‘Until the Quiet Comes’

The album-title song does not wait on a break for it to start as it immediately kicks off from the end of ‘See Thru To U’. Just how I like my albums, straight to work rather than minor pauses before every track, so it definitely feels as if it is one song taking a different direction (when not looking at the display) of whatever device you’re listening to this on.

‘DMT Song’ feat. Thundercat

As the previous track, this song takes no time to pause and gets straight into action. I haven’t heard many songs mention the drug DMT as much since the genius Ab-Soul mentioned it in ‘Pineal Gland’… and then Soulja Boy soon after. The short yet sweet song is crafted charmingly, with vocals of yet a nostalgic feel to it which reminds me of some sort of show or song from previous decades. Although I won’t encourage you to take drugs (for obvious legal reasons), the song could sound perfect while under the influence of the drug. Even without being intoxicated, the cut is such a soothing fucking song with perfect melodies and harmonies laced together with the rhodes and bass. ‘DMT Song’ is a relaxing song and gives you a little pause from everything before commencing with the next track.

‘The Nightcaller’

Flylo switches up the flow with this more up-beat jam called ‘The Nightcaller’. With a funky vibe with spacey sci-fi-like synths tossed into the pot, the beatsmith definitely has baked a beautiful piece of art for our ears. This has more of a dance feel to it, something to get your funk on to. As many other tracks previously before, it’s very minimal on vocals but that’s not important. When you get to hear this album, you’ll understand how funky and cool this track is.

‘Only if You Wanna’

After a funky jam from the artist, Flylo turns around and heads for a different sound, with this one including African percussion and patterns on the drums accompanied with some easy vocals that has a slightly ghostly vibe about it, not Tom Krell-ghostly, but it totally compliments Flylo’s production. It’s a nice relaxing song to listen to after the previous work which contains ambient sounds which will let your mind explore deep into it. The beat then goes for an alternative turn at the end which Flylo is known for doing but it definitely 

‘Electric Candyman’ feat. Thom Yorke

When the announcement was made that Flying Lotus would work with the Radiohead singer and the genius behind Atoms For Peace, Thom Yorke, fans went crazy over the news and imagining what crazy work the two would do. ‘Electric Candyman’ starts off with yet the nostalgically-beautiful sound of Flylo that I remember from years before taking a turn just before the middle of the song. As the first half fades out, the second half fades in and already, we are in a different world with a jazzy and ambient vibe to it. I did expect more of Thom Yorke on the song but his presence is there without a doubt. Just wish there was more to be heard from him.

‘Hunger’ feat. Niki Randa

Back from the second track is the lovely Niki Randa who presents to us the marvellous song called ‘Hunger’. The song is rich with this atmosphere which is present from the get-go and I feel as if I’m set in some sort of rainforest lost with only the vocals filling the airwaves, guiding me throughout this song. Very calm on the production but the song is brilliantly put together. Yet again, we take another turn at the second half of the song which definitely helps breaks the vibe and feel of the last piece so it doesn’t feel as if it’s being dragged on for too long.

‘Phantasm’ feat. Laura Darlington

‘Phantasm’ features a guest appearance from a previous collaborator from The Long Lost, the innocently wonderful Laura Darlington who takes us to Heaven with this soulfully chilled song. Very minimal on the drums, the richness lies within the vocals, rhodes and bass which fills up my appetite after ‘Hunger’. You can never go wrong with Mrs. Darlington and Flylo on the same track together as they always provide us with a masterpiece.

‘me Yesterday//Corded’

The penultimate song of the album left me in a little speechless state as to what to say about this track, whilst listening to this creative artwork in the form of something audible. ‘me Yesterday//Corded’ starts with this original melodic piece which has all of your attention on it before the drums come into place. Once the beat comes in, you get a feel of the song and where it’s going. Easy on the ambient vocals, the song  Another chill-vibe song.. until the turn of changes takes action midway through the song, lifting up the vibe hitting us with this alternative direction in sound. The track definitely ends on a totally different vibe and ceases with seconds of some ambience before proceeding onto the final track.

‘Dream to Me’

The song to close the whole album on. ‘Dream to Me’ wraps the album up with a drumless peace which has what sounds like muffled vocals hidden and deeply embedded in the background to create this beautiful atmosphere for the final piece, which then ends with 15 seconds of silence.

Overall, the forthcoming project is definitely one creative masterpiece by the BRAINFEEDER himself who gives you what you want to hear. A number of the tracks on the album are surprisingly short but yet beautifully made. Any longer and the songs would just feel regular. ‘Until The Quiet Comes’ has the elements of hip hop, jazz, soul all there mixed with that tasteful style of the abstract electronic. This album made a nice impact on my mood this morning and as a fan of the Einstein of beats, this album is worthy of adding to my collection of Flylo music.

The album will be available for you to purchase on October 1st (in the UK) and October 2nd elsewhere. Until then, make sure you check out the short film ‘Until The Quiet Comes’ directed by Kahlil Joseph and the 20-minute documentary by Pitchfork entitled ‘Fly First’.