Astronote
Weapon Of The Future

Release Date: 2011 | Tracklist

Astronote's gratis debut Weapon of the Future is easily some of the most imaginative and groundbreaking production in hip-hop this side of 2010. Currently residing in Paris, France, it's obvious that his soul rests in Detroit, channeling the late Dilla, while sharing commonalities with fellow contemporary hip-hop masterminds Black Milk and Madlib. At its heart, the record is a Detroit release, sporting a roster of guest emcees hailing from the great motor city (and nearby areas): Buff1, Finale, Majestik Legend, and Journalist from The Left to name a few. But the wordplay is not the focus here so much as the beats - it is a truly amazing that a producer can craft such melodic and rhythmically complicated beats without using so much as a sample. The chime and strings driven melody of "Guns a Blaze" rides surprisingly hard, complemented somehow perfectly with a tuba and synth-interspersed bass line. Trek Life may not be the most skilled rapper in the world (you really don't have to be on a beat this ridiculous), but brings it just enough to make this a must hear. The same holds true for the entirety of the LP; Astronote's control of the drums is nothing short of brilliant, while his melodies range from abstract whirring and rhythmic bloops to any manner of synth possible. Don't miss this if you're a fan of regionally Detroit-sounding hip-hop, or progressive hip-hop in general. The most impressive guest cameos come from The Left's Journalist 103 on the eastern melody/ syncopated snares of "Make Moves" and Buff1 on the more futuristic atmosphere of "Stellar". "Make Moves" makes one contemplate the potential of a The Left record produced in full by Astronote instead of the more typical soul sampled beats of Apollo Brown. There are big things in this producer’s future; Weapon of the Future is only the beginning.

Standout Tracks:
"Book of Life"
"Make Moves"
"All"
"Stellar"
"Guns a Blaze"

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3.6 great

Rank: #140 for 2011