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 Hawnay
Troof
Hawnay Troof approaches music as
a 're-sequencing of ideas' or a demolishing/re-making
of the rules. Restoring art and sound to their primary
and vital function: a connection into the natural world.
Viewing everything from depression to euphoria with
a sense of awe at the magnificence that lies within
all of our daily lives. The latest Hawnay Troof LP,
Islands Of Ayle, picks up where the last left off: a
decorated teenage bedroom painted with the energy of
a mad man on the run. After he won over so many blogs
and crazed hundreds of crowds in different parts of
the world strictly by word of mouth, who would expect
any less from him in 2008? His music is magnetic. The
life contained within brings art back to its primal
importance of connecting with the observer. He is quickly
becoming one of the underground's best-kept secrets.
For years, one-man maestro Vice Cooler (who technically
is Hawnay Troof) had unintentionally remained lo-fi.
Finding his way as any craftsman does, he created two
albums worth of material. The records became a map of
his artistic journey, one that has naturally led into
maturity and positive progression. Islands Of Ayle stands
as a notable turning point in Cooler's career. As animated
as it is sentimental it will undoubtedly be a welcomed
evolution as well as a surprise to friends, enemies,
and strangers alike. Whether it is the potent, upfront
vocals or the strenuous production throughout the LP's
13 tracks, one thing remains unquestionable: his growing
strength as asongwriter. His vocals offer more clarity,
thought, and delivery. Listeners will find the lyrical
confidence of The Streets or MIA tied up with the vulnerability
and beauty of Kimya Dawson. The production is intricate
and melodic opposed to the straight ahead beats of the
past; not too far from Deerhoof's hooks having a handshake
with Peaches beatbox. And the bass lines! The bass lines
are a welcomed bonus as someone finally loaned Cooler
a synthesizer! Islands Of Ayle is a force to be dealt
with. It is pushing electronic dance music further down
a trail that it has lately avoided: completely fucked
pop music. During his 20-month world tour for his last
album, Dollar And Deed, Vice Cooler utilized his travel
to create an intricate library of samples. From vintage,
oscillating melodies made in Berlin with Stereo Total's
Bretzel Goering (hear the albums "Front My Hope") to
the chopped up countryside field recording on "Zhou
Zhong" (where the spine of the song is based on field
recordings of cows bells Cooler heard while he was traveling
in the Swiss Alps), one thing remains constant: this
stands as one of the most refreshing records of the
decade. A captivatingly precise ear for sound that bonds
with each listener.
Links
www.hawnaytroof.com
www.southern.net
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