‘Things Fall Apart’ by Zomby, vocals by Panda Bear

Zomby’s latest album, Dedication, came out in July of this year. Somehow it creeped around, not making a serious splash until the past few months – mostly due to heavy play at CMJ in NY and Thom Yorke’s BBC Radio 6 mix. Yorke’s mix showcased not only his love of the emerging west coast sound but how the beat music community has evolved to where hip hop / IDM / “-step” / garage are just inconsequential terminology. If music works together, then it just works together. Zomby seems to get that too. Thing’s Fall Apart combines the heady, skunky vibe of UK Garage and 8-bit beats under the meditative, reverbed voice of Animal Collective / Panda Bear singer Noah Lennox. Initially Zomby’s produces an ADD-influenced, frantic beat that feels in danger of catching itself. But Lennox’s voice reveals a focus, expanding the slight melodic changes to make it a standout track.

Eschewing the UK garage and “dubstep” sound that made him a minor star in dance circles in 2009, Dedication breaks the sophomore jinx. His debut felt exemplary of the genre that helped create him, embracing the rave sound. Yet here he bucks the convention, meandering into different genres and tempos irreverently. The frenetic jumps, melodic divergences, and heavy bass rushes make Things Fall Apart a great song and a perfect example of how music will move forward in the post-dubstep world.

You can grab this record here.

Alec