 | Tracklist:
1. White Picket Fence
2. Feedin’ Birds
3. Nikels and Dimes
4. Rubberband
5. Venom
6. Timeout
7. Skin
8. The Blame
9. Blaksuit
10. Sniffin’
Release Date: 01/23/2012 | |
| | other reviews | Deviant STAFF (3)
Yoga instructor continues to serenade the end of the world; bad juju ensues... |
On 5 Lists
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| Summary: Sunken vocals, ethereal soundscapes, and messy production value - Gonjasufi sheds the larger sound and scope of past releases to make something uniquely different. |
7 of 7 thought this review was well written
Gonjasufi (aka Sumach Ecks) has risen to the top in a considerably short time. Presenting us with his left-field entry album A Sufi and a Killer, Gonjasufi immediately found a sound that was all at once challenging and accessible. Splicing wispy, ethereal elements with his grimy vocals, Gonjasufi nestled into a cultural medium and exercised the dichotomy between restraint and release. Speaking of the title of his debut, Gonjasufi said, “The Sufi side of life has helped me with my killer side so I try not to attach myself to any label. There's a Sufi and a killer in everybody, man.” And that sentiment is apparent all throughout said album, specifically in the contrast between the more jaded, emotionally driven tracks (“She Gone”) and the happier moods set (“Klowds”). Choosing to produce his new album on his own (without the talents of LA producer Gaslamp Killer and Flying Lotus), MU.ZZ.LE takes a considerably different direction and focuses more on mood (on the surface, at least).
Whereas A Sufi and a Killer's smoggy aesthetic, drugged-out ‘60s psychedelia, and hip-hop blend made it one of 2010’s most eclectic works, MU.ZZ.LE comes across as a lot rougher around the edges, focusing more on brooding synthesizers and lethargic vocals. Gonjasufi’s voice lacks the flair of previous releases and it’s buried under ambiance and electronics, but what he lacks in oomph he certainly makes up for with atmosphere. Here, Gonjasufi champions thick, treble-heavy beats and dials down the emotional impact of his voice, portraying himself as somewhat indifferent. Some might mistakenly think it’s lacking in passion, but Gonjasufi is harboring anger under this collage of different sounds. It’s easy to miss, given that most of the vocals here are veiled by everything happening around them, but Gonjasufi presents us with a social commentary about the grotesque nature of man, hones in on self-loathing, and ruminates (“The Blame”): “Children fucking blow up malls/Grown men fucking blow-up dolls/I’m not the perfect man, and I never claimed to be/ I’ve done some things in my time and even I’m ashmed of me”.
One would be excused for initially writing MU.ZZ.LE off as an aimless mess (and it sort of is at points), but subsequent listens reveal neat little quirks, showing a more nuanced record than some will initially give it credit for. “White Picket Fence” is a laid-back lounge number whose atmosphere nearly evokes a sound similar to Pink Floyd (think Dark Side of the Moon), “Nickels and Dimes” opens with candor as children’s laughter can be heard faintly in the background, and “Blaksuit” is sort of nostalgic with its crisp audio sound, seeming as though it’s being spun on vinyl. The production value is exceptional on certain tracks, but elsewhere it fails to entice.
For all its enjoyable moments (the album is only 25 minutes long) there are some meandering, pointless tracks. Being almost half the time of its older brother, MU.ZZ.LE (somehow) seems a lot less focused and ends up being notably disjointed. Most recognizably, “Rubberband,” "Timeout," and “Sniffin’” feel like filler tracks - the latter in particular is a disappointing and awkward conclusion to the alum, and outside of that the songs feel underdeveloped; even the best tracks are too fleeting. Still, MU.ZZ.LE brings with it an exciting new direction for Gonjasufi and manages to still feel familiar to fans. Even the drug-induced laments of A Sufi and a Killer are here (“Venom”). Looking beyond its few faults, MU.ZZ.LE is an album that has something for everyone, and it’s easy to get lost in its dreamy-like atmosphere.
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Originally posted here: http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/2012/01/gonjasufi-muzzle.html
Stream: http://potholesinmyblog.com/stream-gonjasufis-mu-zz-le-ep-in-its-entirety/
Overall a pretty enjoyable mini-album. I'm curious to see what he'll do next.
Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors
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Sounds interesting, may check this and LP.
Digging: Encoffination - O Hell, Shine In Thy Whited Sepulchres Digging: Encoffination - O Hell, Shine In Thy Whited Sepulchres
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I never did like this guy
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
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=[ You probably won't like this then.
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Gyro, you still have your Christmas avatar!
| | | Album Rating: 3
Pretty good album, something just feels missing.
Digging: Laurel Halo - Quarantine Digging: Laurel Halo - Quarantine | | |
It's a mini-album, but I agree... I feel like it could have been better.
Pizza: I know! Ugh, I'm so lazy these days, lol. I'll evolve it at some point tonight ;D
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
trill as fock
Digging: Sidi Tour - Koima Digging: Sidi Tour - Koima | | | Album Rating: 2.5
Dragonite sucks, man. Don't do it.
This guy has an interesting sound, but I never really got into into any of the songs I listened to. I'll still check this out since it's short and streaming.
Digging: Garbage - Not Your Kind Of People | | |
Whoa, potato with the 4.5.
Aso: I think you'll find, much like I did, that some of this is great and some of it is, well, not so great. Definitely take a listen though because I'm sure you'll find at least a few songs worth keeping.
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Also, I completely missed your post about Dragonite sucking but I have to agree with you there. How does something as incredibly cool looking as Dragonaire turn into something as bland as Dragonite? Still, I can't stop now :P
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
yeah man sufi and a killer was a 5 this is real shit
| | | Album Rating: 3
Choosing to produce his new album on his own (without the talents of LA producer Gaslamp Killer)
A Sufi & A Killer was produced by Flylo as well
Nice work man, should have my write-up for this up in the next day or two
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin | | | Album Rating: 3
even I’m ashmed
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
how do u feel about it dev
im sure there was absolutely no surprise from u when u saw my 4.5
| | | Album Rating: 3
Gonna have to be patient
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
was just lookin for a "i like it" or a "i dont like it" dude, not a big deal
| | | Album Rating: 3
It's always a big deal with me
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
lol oh my good god you difficult motherfucer
| | | Album Rating: 3
I'm kind of a big thing, okay
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