Two Fingers’ Debut Album Exceeds Expectations
After years of hearing snippets of Two Fingers’ tracks in live DJ sets and internet leaks, the debut self-titled album is finally here. This is undoubtedly one of the best collaborations of the year. Producers Amon Tobin and Joe “Doubleclick” Chapman have created a sonic tornado that rips through musical styles including hip-hop, grime, dancehall, dubstep, glitch and drum & bass. The result is a thrill ride through a futuristic urban landscape. It transcends genres and pushes the limits of hip-hop and electronica. The LP is scattered with elements of world percussion, twisted samples, heavily distorted bass riffs and enough chopped up beats to keep dubstep and drum & bass fans drooling. If Bladerunner had a hip-hop soundtrack, it would sound like this.
The MCs include UK rapper Sway, Philadelphia’s Ms. Jade and the dancehall artist Ce’Cile. Sway’s talents are unmatched as words effortlessly roll off his tongue at 120–145bpm. Ms. Jade’s cocky style is a perfect compliment to the rough bleacher beats on “Better Get That.” On “Doing My Job,” she easily adapts to the slow sensual bass drops and ensures the track will be a club hit.
Overall, the MCs add a creative element to the album, but hip-hop fans will probably be disappointed with the disconnection between Sway’s lyrics and the music. The rhymes take a backseat to the glitchy beats and waves of alien soundscapes. It’s hard to sympathize with gangster life when we’re listening to music suited for a field trip into outer space.
We can expect to hear a lot more from Two Fingers in the future. They have released numerous unofficial remixes including tracks by Spank Rock, Missy Elliot, Kelis, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, J-88 and Kool Keith. In an interview with URB, Doubleclick said that Two Fingers was both a recording act and a production team. He promises “We’re going to make tracks for as many acts as we can.”
The LP and digital files are available throughout the UK/Europe from Big Dada Recordings. All formats of the LP will be available in the U.S. on April 14th via Paper Bag Records. To order CD, MP3 and vinyl bundles, visit the Ninjashop. Also available at Amazon. Support your local record shops if possible!
MP3: Two Fingers – Not Perfect (feat. Sway)
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