Description
Stephen “Thundercat” Brunerarose during the first decade of the new millennium as the go-to bassist for a multitude of forward-looking artists traversing electric jazz, punk, R&B, and hip-hop. His nimble, syncopated, groove-heavy basslines have propelled songs bySa-Ra,Erykah Badu, andFlying Lotus, some of which have also featured his gentle and sweet vocals. Although his session work is extensive and filled with highlights — he was awarded his first Grammy as one of the voices inKendrick Lamar‘s “These Walls” Thundercat is just as recognized for his adventurous solo output.
BetweenApocalypseand Drunk, his second and third albums, bassistStephen Brunercontributed to a slew of remarkable recordings by fellow Los Angeles dwellers –Flying Lotus’You’re Dead!,Kendrick Lamar’sTo Pimp a ButterflyandUntitled Unmastered,Kamasi Washington’sThe Epic, andTerrace Martin’sVelvet Portraitsamong them. Several months beforeBrunerpicked up a Grammy for “These Walls,” offTo Pimp a Butterfly, he issued an EP anchored by “Them Changes.” His funkiest, sweetest, most vulnerable song, it reappears as the top highlight on Drunk, a fragmentary and scattered program relative to the Thundercat full-lengths that preceded it.Bruneris still fueled by numerous forms that immediately preceded his birth — smooth soul, soft rock, jazz fusion, synth funk, new wave, all late ’70s/early ’80s — and filters them through his soft-hearted, mischievous personality. He surrounds himself with a slightly different cast of old and newer associates, including the first three figures listed above, keyboardistDennis Hamm, drummerLouis Cole, and producerSounwave.
For better and worse, there’s a lot of foolishness occurring here.Brunerdreams about being a cat (replete with meowing background melody), pens a tribute to Japanese pop culture (“Just point me to the Pachinko machines”), and delivers a sarcastic jingle regarding social media fatigue (“I’m out here probably doing the most”). At times, the whimsicality sinks into middle school humor (“Captain Stupido”) and misogyny (“Friend Zone”). Love and mortality remainBruner’s strongest subjects, placed on full display in terse but touching ballads like “Lava Lamp,” “Jethro,” and “3AM.” In “Show You the Way,” another bright spot, he swaps verses with Michael McDonald andKenny Loggins, two of his heroes, to swirling and balmy effect. Additional guestsKendrick,Pharrell, andWiz Khalifaadd to the star power, but the main attraction isBruner’s singular combination of tremulous yet fluid bass and aching falsetto. via AllMusic
Label: Brainfeeder
Format: 4 x Vinyl, 10″, 45 RPM, Repress, Red
Box Set, Album, Reissue
Repressed: 2020 / Original Release: 2017
Genre: Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk / Soul
File under: Contemporary R&B
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