[Alternative EDM:] Grasscut – Pieces
Grasscut’s “Pieces” is a delightfully unique offering in the electronic genre-sphere. Fresh from the Ninja Tune label, this “alternative electronic” track has elements of dance-pop collide with alternative rock/indie music that is reminiscent of bands like Death Cab for Cutie or Velveteen.
Beginning with sultry, subdued warped vocals, the song quickly begins an entrancing xylophone-like synth along bass and a steady beat. The accompanying video uses what looks like tripped out stock footage, in vintage 480p, adding to that underground/indie feel.
Appearing in an [adult swim] bump, the intermissions between their own shows and commercials, the network often promotes underground rap, hip-hop and electronic music. The network and Ninja Tune label are also closely associated with Big Dada records, Brainfeeder (Flying Lotus’ record label), and WARP records.
It is partly thanks to [adult swim], the network designed for 18-34 year olds, that eclectic acts such as Flying Lotus and Tycho and many more underground hip-hop acts (through label Definitive Jux) have been discovered, such as Aesop Rock, Cage, Despot, El-P, Murs, RJ-D2, and more received more widespread recognition.
The Ninja Tune and WARP records labels were radio stations in Square Enix’s Hong-Kong “GTA” video game, “Sleeping Dogs.” Within the game, playing the station would bring up underground EDM and ambient hits like Bonobo’s “Kiara,” artists like Stateless, Coldcut, UK rap/grime act Two Fingers, Emika & Lorn. It’s sister station “WARP records” played jams from artists such as Rustie, Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke. Truly revolutionary for it’s time (Sleeping Dogs was released in 2012).
More from Ninja Tune & Warp Records, Definitive Jux:
[Ambient/Chill:]
[Transcendent Ambient as seen in Sleeping Dogs]
[Hauntingly Deep Bass:]
[Underground, Thought-Provoking Alternative Hip-Hop:]
LUMiNOUS Musings 