Following up a release of incredibly dense sonic texture in 2010’s Cosmogramma, Steven Ellison better known as the electronic producer Flying Lotus returns with a focused effort on the highly anticipated Until the Quiet Comes that shows off the Los Angeles native’s strengths. Ellison once again makes great use guest performers as Thom Yorke of Radiohead, contributes hazy, nearly unrecognizable vocals on the track “Electric Candyman.” Jazz bassist Thundercat also returns for this album and lays down his usual smooth bass lines and contributes vocals on “DMT Song.”
The record’s opener “All In” highlights the jazz flavored beat production that defines much of Flying Lotus’ sound. Using space and leaving room for imagination was seldom found on Cosmogramma, however, here a new type of atmosphere is created where the listener can appreciate the careful arrangement without having to make sense of a collage of overlapping sounds like on the previous record.
On “Tiny Tortures,” a glitchy, hollow sounding percussion track allows the grooving bass of Thundercat to shred and make for a welcoming instrumental that feels like a fusion of R&B, jazz, all backed by the complex rhythms that provides much of the excitement of FlyLo tracks.
“me Yesterday/Corded” serves as the albums penultimate track and the one moment on this record that would have had a place on Ellison’s previous album with its cosmic beat heavy sound and crowded arrangement. Until the Quiet Comes feels like a more mature release from an artist who knew that going bigger and adding more sounds was clearly not a possibility for a next step in his progression. While Cosmogramma acts as a manic trip where the listener is nearly overwhelmed with sounds and ideas, UTCQ is a highly enjoyable resolution and come down that is inwardly focused and reflective.
Rating: A
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