At: "Letter To Yu" by Bolis Pupul
Super short, impromptu review as this is the most shocking and engaging album I have listened to this year.
It is insane.
If you are fascinated by strange music that is electronic, vulnerable, narrative, and mystical, then you will love this record. I felt the impulse to write about this purely out of shock. The majority of it is instrumental, but its lyrical moments are stunning and shockingly vulnerable.
My Top Three
Ma Tau Wai Road (with Salah Pupul) - Lyrically powerful, definitely my favorite. His sister sings this song with him, exploring their loss and trying to connect to the city. If you listen to one song on the record, I really hope it is this one.
Cantonese - has background lyrics in Cantonese
Completely Half - the lyrics open up the album’s world and standing in this trip. It remains honest through its electropop track, which I love.
Not only is it insanely dynamic and clever, but it is also easy to listen to. It will carry you through it without ever getting repetitive. It makes you want to move. It makes me want to learn everything about the process of making this record.
The opening song is shocking with the robotic voice but the lyrics are so honest. It might be the best representation of the essence of the album, which I would recommend checking out after my top three.
The artist dedicated this album to his mother. She passed away in 2008, and he decided to visit Hong Kong as a way to connect with their ancestry after his loss. He recorded organic sounds of the cities as he traveled and these sounds really bring forward a unique atmosphere to the record, while being presented through such a vulnerable lens in the lyrics.
Before listening to it, if you wish to fully understand why I believe this album to be perfect, I recommend searching for its context and inspiration. Pitchfork has a brief overview of the inspiration that led to the making of the album, and it added perspective to what I was listening to in indispensable ways.
Truly amazing. I loved this record.
EXTRAS
The music video for my favorite song:
Paste Magazine interviewed Bolis Pupul and made him break the album down track-by-track. The context he gives for each song is so insightful to his process and mindset. I fully recommend it. It is a must-read:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/bolis-pupul/bolis-pupul-walks-us-through-his-debut-solo-album-track-by-track
Be Back Monday <3