While I think that’s the aesthetic for this album specifically, I agree with him that it sounds better not dry. If you listen to their live performances on RUclips, JD’s more intense drum sounds are soooo insane and add so much character. I hope they go back to that sound next time
@@DoubleKillFilms Agreed, the sound lacks some spark that the live performances had. At the same time I'm kinda pleased that they didn't go too far from their 'RUclips sound' or with the compositions themselves. I was a bit afraid the album would end up being something like JD's Zildjian live. 😅 But all in all, amazing record!
@@Jazzrappcat Mono Neon tore it up on the bass in that performance though, and the Ghost Note is always fantastic. But I agree; I'm glad they kept it as a duo for the album.
I personally loved the dry mix and the loose structure, coupled with jd’s very muted drum sound. I feel these elements came together to create an intimate and soothing yet also fun atmosphere to the whole project
I really like how you put this. I hope they get more adventurous in the future but this album is a surprisingly easy and fun listen considering the crazy complexity going on within it. It's a strong 8 from me 👏👏
Maybe in western music. There are lots of great jazz/jazz-influenced bands in Japan like Soil & “pimp” sessions, TRI4TH, fox capture plan, Kan Sano, etc. Also, Lee Jin Ah is a fantastic Korean jazz pianist
You know the album it's really good when the comment section it's actually talking about the album, glad for these 2, go watch their sick MF DOOM tribute NOW.
I love the hyper dry sounds. As a mix engineer I agree sometimes the leveling could be better in some instances. But at the end of the day, the songs are strong and memorable, while the album flows from beginning to end... which is a rarity in the genre. Personally I think this is the album of the year.
Agree that some of the mixes were a little off considering there's not really that much instrumentation happening. After a few listens I attribute the "dry" sound as sort of a wink to the Rudy Van Gelder dead room sound of other classic Blue Note records.
@@JohnB.123my first thought was that it’s a wink to the old hip hop sound like madvillainy, but when you think about it it only sounds like that because they sampled old recordings like what you were talking about lol.
So glad to see your review! Loved the commentary on the "dryness" of the mix, and agree that while it provides lots of clarity for all the fast notes they play, it would be interesting to get more variety throughout the album and see some expirimentation into different soundscapes/mixes! Some of those tracks like "Space Mountain" and "Sniff" are tracks they've had in their back pocket for a long time, to my understanding, and sort of "call back" to earlier recordings, and the changes to those original mixes/tracks provide significant improvements (which is crazy to believe given how mind-blowing their stuff is). Still crazy to me how YOUNG these artists are and how well they fuse easily-digestible genres/harmonies/melodies with more advanced/densely-chromatic ones. It'll be exciting to see their chemistry in the future with potentially even more thematic cohesion in songwriting and, as you said, longer more fleshed-out tracks both lyrically and compositionally! Thanks for all you do Anthony! Congratulations Domi + JD Beck on an incredibly impressive debut!!
Yes! It feels like they want to breach into the mainstream, but their need to please their hardcore fans is preventing experimentation. Are they afraid of being seen as sellouts or something? Santana did only release Supernatural, a massively diverse multiplatinum album with tons of styles and features _ well after_ he was an established popular artist. What do you think is holding them back?
Yeah, he definitely hit the nail with the “dry” description of the tracks. I really only felt it abruptly throughout my listening, it didn’t hold the album back to a significant extent. I still loved every track
absolutely loved this album. admittedly, i can barely remember half of the songs, but thats just because i've listened to it without looking at the tracklist, and just letting the album flow through from start to finish. still fucking love it though. pre-ordered it on vinyl a day after i heard it.
*_Timesteps_* 0:00 Intro 1:28 What up 1:47 Smile 2:17 Bowling 2:37 Not Tight 3:12 Moon 3:27 Two Shrimps 3:37 Take a Chance 4:21 Space Mountain 4:41 Sniff Once again everything is short and to the point.
The hook melody on take a chance is so simple yet so beautiful. I think the way It contrasts Andy’s pre-chorus makes It feel almost triumphant, and their vocals together definitely add a sincerity to the track
I am actually so surprised that your LEAST favorite track is DUKE... The bass is so jazzy & the piano & drums are so crispy, it's so pleasant to listen to, i'm really surprised at how it's your least favorite track lol. I love NOT TiGHT, it's such a great album.
loved this record - i fully admit that the anticipation of it has definitely boosted my personal perception of it - but at the end of the day... isnt building anticipation part of the artistry? regardless - it's still stellar debut album - the world will be watching these two make beautiful music for a while. theyve managed to claim their plot of land in the future of jazz.
"isnt building anticipation part of the artistry?" The record is really good; I enjoy watching and listening to DOMi and JD and think they are prolific beyond their years. That being said... Hype is not an art form. It is rigorously calculated by label executives and is planned social media engagement down to the exact time of day things are posted. I'm stoked you were excited about the album but let's not go wild here and say that "the anticipation of the album made it better". At that point you're just complimenting people who had zero to do with the music that moved you.
@@darklsn i agree - but in this case i disagree - mostly because here im referring to the anticipation built by following them for 3 years on youtube, before any sort of label got involved. so... touche i suppose
Wild, I've just recently discovered these two through an absolute beast of MF DOOM tribute, didn't know they released an album as well, thanks for covering it
Would love to see them go in the opposite direction with a strictly instrumental next project in which they fully embrace their grooves. They remind me so much of Kiefer and Rejoicer, and I absolutely love that sound.
I played MOON on repeat for about a day and it still hasn't gotten old. And I've never begged anyone to take me back after a major relationship screw up, but if I did, I'd probably use the lyrics to TAKE A CHANCE if I needed to do so.
I like jazz and hip hop. These guys are the combination of those. I’ve been following them for a while before they released this album. Tracks like sniff and two shrimps actually written like years ago. To finally hear it as a whole, in an album got me excited. Also for the fact how crazy talented both of them.
Thank you so much for reviewing this Melon. I’ve been waiting for this album for three years and it’s good to hear you appreciate their potential. For me, the dry mix and loosely structured jams are what give them their charm. I would give this a 9, (although I’m very biased because I’m a huge fan) but it’s great to see you review this in a positive light.
I’m so happy you reviewed these two! Are watching them both on Zildjian I fell in love with them as a duo after to listening to them more (For Example the MF Doom Tribute). This album definitely shows that they’re destined for great things.
personally, i really wish we got more of their vocals, particularly more of their individual vocals. Their sound together is really nice, but I’d love to hear some tracks driven by predominantly one of their voices just to let them shine individually.
I was hoping you'd review this. I like this record a lot, but i also agree that it does feel a little half baked at times. People have been waiting 3 years for this record though, so maybe it was also time for them to just finish it and move on. also i think its pronounced DoMi, not Dahmi, but don't quote me on that.
My wife was in labor for 48 hours and during that time I stumble upon Domi and JD. It’s been 3 months and I still listen to all their music uploaded to RUclips. Is there another artist that makes music like this? Thanks
No, there isn't! Thats what makes it so awesome. The only comparable thing I can think of is Luis Cole/Knower and old jazz fusion shit like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra
After listening and thinking about discussing DOMi and JD Beck since their up-and-comer rise, I feel confident that I understand their music. Many people have already made comments countering the criticisms regarding their dry mix, the sparse instrumentation, and their unconventional song form. All these attributes are essential aspects of their music associated with their emergence through social media. The presumptive idea that albums need to have the middle-of-the-road conventions met is part of some idea of the path to commercial success. Appreciating their personalized approach is definitely difficult if you haven't been following them closely. The pair should not be modifying anything. The mythology created by DOMi and JD Beck for nearly 5 years is this album's backdrop. It seems like that isn't accounted for in this review.
hi. I would like to suggest that tracks like not tight possibly solidify their genious, because as you say they have this intense unresolved build that goes on and on but! that boom clack ending, its such a release. its almost like the whole track was a build to that last resolve
Fresh, original and pushing technical boundaries. Melodies would be definitely be the greats if they were still around. My favorite im getting into is Two SHRiMPS. Slaps hard. Cheers JD and Domi for your dedication and creativity and thanks to the artists who made each had their own approach to a tune.
One little tidbit about these two is that they actually were session musicians for thundercat on his latest record. That's why thundercat is on the album, not just because they know him, but because they've collaborated before
Completely agree with this, specifically Two Shrimps, Bowling, and Moon. The melodies on those tracks completely tie together DOMi's otherwise persistently, almost fetishistically ungratifying sense of harmony. It feels like her brilliance and youth convene and conspire to prevent her from resolving her harmony adequately. It seems like she's so well practiced that, for her, any consonance at all is tritely obvious. While I love tracks like Smile and Space Mountain, I agree with you in believing that it is clear that they benefit from more mature ears on the job with them.
Personally, I was sort of hoping this album would be more instrumental, more like their song BC Invaders. Some songs are, but all the features I feel sort of take away from Domi and JD. I know they can do way more, but on a few of the songs they sort of seem to pull back musically. I think I just wanted them to go all out like on some of their other stuff 😂
Been watching ever since DOMi posted that vid with Louis Cole at Berkely a long time ago. Love the album and can't wait to continue to watch how they evolve over time
I agree with the dry mix thing. I know from hearing a lot of their stuff that it’s a signature part of their sound, but it’s really inflexible and squashes down a lot of opportunity for dynamic contrast. I think they should take a page out of Mac DeMarco’s book and experiment with some of that trippy wobbly indie washiness that he’s known for, could lead to some really cool sounds for them
I think their dryness works with everything they do, but it'd be very cool if they juxtaposed it more with sections built around not being so dry. Not just talking room verbs and compression etc., I wanna hear straight up synth patches, or epianos drenched in phaser and chorus etc. sitting in a pool of texture. I also kinda wanna hear them do some deep drum and bass or something like that, inspired by the kind that's known for minimalism and dry but perfected sounds and awesome transients that have little to nothing to compete with in the mix, seemed to rise up around 2005.
Hard disagree here, especially considering the 9s and 10s melon has given that dont hold a candle to this album. He acknowledges how skilled they are but I don’t think he truly grasps their elite musicianship and groundbreaking sound. Domi & JD are the first artists in quite a while that we can point to and confidently say that they are the future of jazz. I don’t think the album is perfect and I do agree with some points made but I’m feeling an 8 minimum on this one. Very much looking forward to seeing more work from these two.
personally I have been waiting for this album for about 3.5 years. Ever since I saw them live touring with chon. JD was only 16 touring the entire country and playing at other massive shows. Their future is so bright.
Really enjoyed this album. I definitely feel what you mean about some of the tracks not having as much structure and direction to them, though I did enjoy them quite a bit in the context of the album. I thought the pacing was great, and the standouts that you mention feel all the more satisfying and exciting in the midst of some of the wilder, free flowing jazz tracks on here. Very much looking forward to what the future brings for these two, because I have a feeling it's going to be absolutely amazing. I would also very much enjoy hearing what you think of FKJ's newest album V I N C E N T. I've been a big fan of him for 9 years or so, and his sound has certainly matured while staying true to his own unique style. If you haven't listened to his first full length release, the self-titled French Kiwi Juice is also excellent. Another amazing artist that I think you would very much enjoy is Anomalie. The French Canadian king of jazzy electronic grooves, Nico is an absolutely beast producer in addition to his godlike skills on keys. His first LP Galerie is a real treat, I hope you enjoy it even half as much as I do!
They’re talented as hell and their performances are great, but something about their songwriting and songs has me a bit irked for a lack of better word.
Their work is technically good, but they have nothing to say in terms of human experience. Compare their work to anything by Coltrane - it’s unfair but will make the point. Plus, trying fuse hip hop with jazz - not a good idea.
@@mr-peabody you were right up until the last part…jazz and hip hop have been successfully combined many times?? that combo has always made sense to me
I’m into the dry production personally. I feel it’s super refreshing to hear a mix that sounds close to the idea they had, letting the complexity speak for itself. Vocals could have been louder all over and it sounds like so much fun. I love snoop’s verse actually. Rhyming Porsche with divorcée. Amazing. Not a fan of Rosenwinkel, so whoa didn’t speak to me.
I really like Domi and JD Beck, but I do agree with what he said about the mixing. The only real issue I have with the album probably had nothing to do with the artists themselves lol, but I wish the mix was done more like their Nord session; it was so dynamic and full, and JD's drums sounded amazing, but on the album everything feels very constrained (especially the drums). I think it was definitely a good first album, and I hope that for their next one they manage to mix it better to showcase JD's drumming just a little bit more.
I really do like this album, but I do agree about the overall dryness of JD's drums. There are times in this recording that sounds like he's staggering due to the very very dry sound of his drums. I'm sure this was the mix they wanted yet I feel as though a little cymbal / high hat brightness would have helped immensely. Just my humble opinion.
Im a drummer and after about 2 years of following jd beck and domi, jd beck has been THE inspiration for me and kept me listening and practicing music at times where i wasnt mentally able to bring myself to the kit. He is my favorite drummer. SOO insane technique wise and SOO insane at musicality. Incredibly unique style as well.
They definitely have a lot of potential, but I definitely wouldn't say it was the album of the year, most of the featureless songs sounded very much alike and I think a light 7 is an appropriate rating.
@@blzk12 in what world do they sound alike? Whatup sounds absolutely nothing like not tight, not tight sounds absolutely nothing like u dont have to rob me, u dont have to rob me sounds absolutely nothing like duke, duke is entirely different from sniff and sniff sounds literally nothing alike from space mountain.
I may agree. I wouldn't be so sure of calling it undoubtedly better than any other release of this year, but on the other hand I couldn't stop listening to it since it came out😅 I think its, by far, the 2022 album I listened to the most this year so far.
@@Foeisudhxj It's about the sound choice/dry production. The fact the the keyboard and drums remain basically the same (soundwise) through the whole album, with the same mixing, makes the songs without different vocalists harder to distinguish between and if you listen to the album as a whole, it's blends together more than I would prefer. It's not as if the songs aren't composed differently, but composition is not the only thing that affects how sonically different a track is going to sound.
I love this album to death already, and I totally agree with Melon’s critiques. It did feel sonically hollow on some of the more “jam” tracks. I would appreciate some more instrumentation, and generally more space being taken up with other sounds in the future from them. But goddamn, what an amazing debut from these kids.
I can’t agree with you on mixing criticism. Yes, it’s very unusual sound and it’s pretty brave and clever work from a mixing standpoint, saying that as a mixing engineer myself. The spectral range here is a little limited for that special color and aesthetic and that dryness is very complimentary serves their unique style in my opinion. And of course the mix is not completely dry, reverbs are there, but it’s just short. It’s much easier to get impression of clarity with longer reverbs. Just wanted to say that I’m one of those who like the sound on this record :)
It's very rare that you see Anthony covering jazz. Wonder if we will ever see Fantano reviewing extremely obscure genres like harsh noise or experimental choir music again in the way he did in his early days. I prefer his wording nowadays more, it's clear that he grew up a lot professionally, but he moved towards less WTF records which is sad because seeing him giving a modern take on weird albums would be cool.
Surprised you didn’t touch much on their singing really. I didn’t listen to the singles and my first time through thought the vocals on take a chance and don’t have to rob me were like just backup vocalists they knew. I was floored realizing it was Domi and JD, especially JD. Had no idea they sing and was surprised but not surprised how good they sound
Anthony what are you listening on? I find that sometimes a really dry mix can go along way on a good tube based system which can really embellish a lot of second order harmonics just to add that touch of magic that might be missing from more balanced production/master
Its funny that his dislikes are all different from mine. I didnt really like the album lyrically which ig makes sense since its more of an instrumental album but the lyrical melodies were also pretty repetitive and un interesting excluding demarcos feature, which makes sense since hes a singer song writer.
i think the dry mixes and loose song forms fit their sound really well tho... it reflects their influences and backgrounds as a good baseline for which they build something new from. although i do agree that weird vocal effect on moon was an odd choice. herbie has a great voice so it was a shame hearing it be drowned in fx
It's funny because Herbie actually has a pretty weak singing voice so he augments it with a vocoder so he can play those beautiful melody lines. He has 2 full albums where he uses a vocoder exclusively, "Sunlight" and "Feets Don't Fail Me Now". Check them out, I really enjoy how he uses the instrument.
not tight is tight as fuck, i felt the same way about the mix but as you highlighted - gives a really clear picture of what they're up to if you're keen to analyse. i'd been waiting for this for a couple years so im keen to see where they go next!
so happy ur covering this. been anticipating this album for 3 years lmao n it finally coming out has completely blown me away. incredible record fr
Lemme guess: unsubbed?
Same, been following these two since the start. Well worth the wait
Sup goat
Yo was good painchat brotha
Love u kojo
haven't watched yet, love this album so i bet it's gonna be a strong 3
real af
7
7
@@rowancarroll9274 bro spoilers
7
The dryness is an essential aspect of their sound, though - can’t really change that without shifting the whole aesthetic
Thier aesthetic is still being defined as they grow... That's why sounding dry may just be a starting point.
While I think that’s the aesthetic for this album specifically, I agree with him that it sounds better not dry. If you listen to their live performances on RUclips, JD’s more intense drum sounds are soooo insane and add so much character. I hope they go back to that sound next time
@@DoubleKillFilms Agreed, the sound lacks some spark that the live performances had. At the same time I'm kinda pleased that they didn't go too far from their 'RUclips sound' or with the compositions themselves. I was a bit afraid the album would end up being something like JD's Zildjian live. 😅 But all in all, amazing record!
@@Jazzrappcat Mono Neon tore it up on the bass in that performance though, and the Ghost Note is always fantastic. But I agree; I'm glad they kept it as a duo for the album.
They'll layer over it eventually and do something larger and produced more thoroughly. Calling it.
I personally loved the dry mix and the loose structure, coupled with jd’s very muted drum sound. I feel these elements came together to create an intimate and soothing yet also fun atmosphere to the whole project
I really like how you put this. I hope they get more adventurous in the future but this album is a surprisingly easy and fun listen considering the crazy complexity going on within it.
It's a strong 8 from me 👏👏
Bro recorded two shrimps drums with his iphone 😂
this duo is probably one of the most promising element in music right now
Nope! Haha
@@gickygackers yes. its a fact sorry bud lol
@@Harrissssonn doesn't make sense
technical musical ability = superior
Maybe in western music. There are lots of great jazz/jazz-influenced bands in Japan like Soil & “pimp” sessions, TRI4TH, fox capture plan, Kan Sano, etc. Also, Lee Jin Ah is a fantastic Korean jazz pianist
Dude Herbie's vocals are fire 🔥. It's perfect, reminds me a lot of his sound on the album Sunlight
Sunlight doesn’t get enough love
JD Beck is the closest thing we have to a human drum machine, kid plays like he’s sitting behind Squarepusher and it blows my mind every time
ever heard of jojo mayer?
@@ahmilwurstburger4374 Jojo Mayer is amazing. But he’s not 18 and barely at the beginning of his career.
He is insane. Another drummer would be Louis Cole
@@Thegbear hes 19
@@marleyyoung6171 oh right forgot time is linear
You know the album it's really good when the comment section it's actually talking about the album, glad for these 2, go watch their sick MF DOOM tribute NOW.
I love the hyper dry sounds. As a mix engineer I agree sometimes the leveling could be better in some instances. But at the end of the day, the songs are strong and memorable, while the album flows from beginning to end... which is a rarity in the genre. Personally I think this is the album of the year.
Agree that some of the mixes were a little off considering there's not really that much instrumentation happening. After a few listens I attribute the "dry" sound as sort of a wink to the Rudy Van Gelder dead room sound of other classic Blue Note records.
@@JohnB.123my first thought was that it’s a wink to the old hip hop sound like madvillainy, but when you think about it it only sounds like that because they sampled old recordings like what you were talking about lol.
@@Foeisudhxj For sure, JD’s playing is definitely influenced by Dilla and Madlib. Lots of MPC-style, swing turned way up, broken beats on here.
Actually, Domi and JD Beck knew the likes of Thundercat before they met AP!
Adult swim with ariana grande
@@tnowl Way before that even :)
So glad to see your review! Loved the commentary on the "dryness" of the mix, and agree that while it provides lots of clarity for all the fast notes they play, it would be interesting to get more variety throughout the album and see some expirimentation into different soundscapes/mixes! Some of those tracks like "Space Mountain" and "Sniff" are tracks they've had in their back pocket for a long time, to my understanding, and sort of "call back" to earlier recordings, and the changes to those original mixes/tracks provide significant improvements (which is crazy to believe given how mind-blowing their stuff is). Still crazy to me how YOUNG these artists are and how well they fuse easily-digestible genres/harmonies/melodies with more advanced/densely-chromatic ones. It'll be exciting to see their chemistry in the future with potentially even more thematic cohesion in songwriting and, as you said, longer more fleshed-out tracks both lyrically and compositionally!
Thanks for all you do Anthony! Congratulations Domi + JD Beck on an incredibly impressive debut!!
Yes! It feels like they want to breach into the mainstream, but their need to please their hardcore fans is preventing experimentation.
Are they afraid of being seen as sellouts or something? Santana did only release Supernatural, a massively diverse multiplatinum album with tons of styles and features _ well after_ he was an established popular artist.
What do you think is holding them back?
Yeah, he definitely hit the nail with the “dry” description of the tracks. I really only felt it abruptly throughout my listening, it didn’t hold the album back to a significant extent. I still loved every track
absolutely loved this album. admittedly, i can barely remember half of the songs, but thats just because i've listened to it without looking at the tracklist, and just letting the album flow through from start to finish. still fucking love it though. pre-ordered it on vinyl a day after i heard it.
Loved this album, "You don't have to rob me." is one of my favorite tracks of the year.
also one of my favorites!
Couldn't get it out of my head at work last week, kept immediately having to listen when I got out.
Best song on the record imo. Love it.
I'm 2 tracks away from listening to it for the fist time :-)
same! and I hate that he didn't even go over the song in the review lol
*_Timesteps_*
0:00 Intro
1:28 What up
1:47 Smile
2:17 Bowling
2:37 Not Tight
3:12 Moon
3:27 Two Shrimps
3:37 Take a Chance
4:21 Space Mountain
4:41 Sniff
Once again everything is short and to the point.
mad he didn’t mention you dont have to rob me
@@dawnyboy635 i don’t think he mentioned pilot too
Or “whoa”
Or… duke…
The hook melody on take a chance is so simple yet so beautiful. I think the way It contrasts Andy’s pre-chorus makes It feel almost triumphant, and their vocals together definitely add a sincerity to the track
I am actually so surprised that your LEAST favorite track is DUKE...
The bass is so jazzy & the piano & drums are so crispy, it's so pleasant to listen to, i'm really surprised at how it's your least favorite track lol. I love NOT TiGHT, it's such a great album.
Thank you for spittin facts I love both JD and Domi.
Hey.
I know Duke is the least popular track, and I can’t for the life of me understand. I absolutely love it
For me its easily 1000 percent my fav song of the album its soooo good.
loved this record - i fully admit that the anticipation of it has definitely boosted my personal perception of it - but at the end of the day... isnt building anticipation part of the artistry?
regardless - it's still stellar debut album - the world will be watching these two make beautiful music for a while. theyve managed to claim their plot of land in the future of jazz.
"isnt building anticipation part of the artistry?"
The record is really good; I enjoy watching and listening to DOMi and JD and think they are prolific beyond their years. That being said...
Hype is not an art form. It is rigorously calculated by label executives and is planned social media engagement down to the exact time of day things are posted. I'm stoked you were excited about the album but let's not go wild here and say that "the anticipation of the album made it better". At that point you're just complimenting people who had zero to do with the music that moved you.
@@darklsn i agree - but in this case i disagree - mostly because here im referring to the anticipation built by following them for 3 years on youtube, before any sort of label got involved. so... touche i suppose
u don’t have to rob me and moon are my favorites. Moon been taking me tears every time that i listen. For me, this one is a 10/10
Wild, I've just recently discovered these two through an absolute beast of MF DOOM tribute, didn't know they released an album as well, thanks for covering it
MF....... the supervillian
I think that's how I originally discovered them too :-D
Surprised not to see any mention of U DON'T HAVE TO ROB ME, I love that track so much.
This album: NOT TIGHT
Anthony: VERY TIGHT
TiGHT*
These “progidies” are sure to have an exciting career. 😅👏🏻 0:12
Anthony off the perc in this vid
@@Hotsauceonmy Percthony Cetano 🤏🏻💊 👨🏼🦲
IMO I wouldnt call JD a prodigy, but Domi for sure.
@@natecorning JD was doing live club performances with a band since he was 13. He got signed at 17. I'd say he's a prodigy, by general standards.
@@natecorning everyone hates on the drummer, of course 🙄
This album was SCREAMING for a Kamasi Washington feature for me. Otherwise it's has been and will continue to be on repeat in my ear holes
Would love to see them go in the opposite direction with a strictly instrumental next project in which they fully embrace their grooves. They remind me so much of Kiefer and Rejoicer, and I absolutely love that sound.
I played MOON on repeat for about a day and it still hasn't gotten old. And I've never begged anyone to take me back after a major relationship screw up, but if I did, I'd probably use the lyrics to TAKE A CHANCE if I needed to do so.
I like jazz and hip hop. These guys are the combination of those. I’ve been following them for a while before they released this album. Tracks like sniff and two shrimps actually written like years ago. To finally hear it as a whole, in an album got me excited. Also for the fact how crazy talented both of them.
Thank you so much for reviewing this Melon. I’ve been waiting for this album for three years and it’s good to hear you appreciate their potential. For me, the dry mix and loosely structured jams are what give them their charm. I would give this a 9, (although I’m very biased because I’m a huge fan) but it’s great to see you review this in a positive light.
I’m so happy you reviewed these two! Are watching them both on Zildjian I fell in love with them as a duo after to listening to them more (For Example the MF Doom Tribute). This album definitely shows that they’re destined for great things.
personally, i really wish we got more of their vocals, particularly more of their individual vocals. Their sound together is really nice, but I’d love to hear some tracks driven by predominantly one of their voices just to let them shine individually.
based on the tiny desk concert, im not sure i want to hear jd singing a whole lot. maybe that was an intentional choice, though.
@@criznash Some vocal lessons will help that easily!
I also really liked track WHOA with Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar and liked how they jammed on Giant Steps changes in there as well.
Me too! Was sad he didn’t mention this track. As a guitarist, Kurt is a huge hero of mine and he killed it on WHOA
Review Sing Me a lullaby, My Sweet Temptation! You melon! This album is of course some light to strong 3!
I was hoping you'd review this. I like this record a lot, but i also agree that it does feel a little half baked at times.
People have been waiting 3 years for this record though, so maybe it was also time for them to just finish it and move on.
also i think its pronounced DoMi, not Dahmi, but don't quote me on that.
My wife was in labor for 48 hours and during that time I stumble upon Domi and JD. It’s been 3 months and I still listen to all their music uploaded to RUclips. Is there another artist that makes music like this? Thanks
No, there isn't! Thats what makes it so awesome. The only comparable thing I can think of is Luis Cole/Knower and old jazz fusion shit like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra
Squarepusher? Weather Report?
Check out Secrets by Herbie Hancock
Check out Yussef Dayes my other favorite drummer rn
@@DEATHOROOGGOO11 Black Focus is such a cool album
Been waiting for your review on this. One of my favourite albums this year. Amazing chemistry between the two and I can’t wait for their next project
the dry mix feels intentional... the whole production scene from where they're at seem to vibe with that style
After listening and thinking about discussing DOMi and JD Beck since their up-and-comer rise, I feel confident that I understand their music. Many people have already made comments countering the criticisms regarding their dry mix, the sparse instrumentation, and their unconventional song form. All these attributes are essential aspects of their music associated with their emergence through social media. The presumptive idea that albums need to have the middle-of-the-road conventions met is part of some idea of the path to commercial success. Appreciating their personalized approach is definitely difficult if you haven't been following them closely. The pair should not be modifying anything. The mythology created by DOMi and JD Beck for nearly 5 years is this album's backdrop. It seems like that isn't accounted for in this review.
First there's the NOT GOOD series, then he follows it up with the NOT BAD series, and now this? What'll he think of next?
bad bad not good
@@dragon-id5uj this band is already anticipating for Anthony's review of their album, even though their sound is amazing.
The description is one of your most clever thus far. Good job, Mr. Fantano.
He started it by mispronouncing prodigies
@@alechall7082 projideez
Album has been on repeat since it dropped. MOON with Herbie Hancock is wild!!
hi. I would like to suggest that tracks like not tight possibly solidify their genious, because as you say they have this intense unresolved build that goes on and on but! that boom clack ending, its such a release. its almost like the whole track was a build to that last resolve
Fresh, original and pushing technical boundaries. Melodies would be definitely be the greats if they were still around. My favorite im getting into is Two SHRiMPS. Slaps hard. Cheers JD and Domi for your dedication and creativity and thanks to the artists who made each had their own approach to a tune.
One little tidbit about these two is that they actually were session musicians for thundercat on his latest record. That's why thundercat is on the album, not just because they know him, but because they've collaborated before
and apparently they broke his bass. X)
Where did you read that? I don't hear them on any songs from It is what it is (unless you are talking about his next album?)
This duo is a breath of fresh air in the music industry
wow i’m surprised to see him reviewing this, he seems to shy away from instrumental stuff
Well, it does have many sung tracks.
ondatropica is one of his favourite albums of last decade
He’s never liked jazz that much. It’s why he doesn’t review much.
While I absolutely love instrumental albums, it's clear to me that their best work is paired with the vocal melodies and guest vocalists.
Wrong
Those who enjoy jazz beg to differ
I have exactly the opposite opinion.
Completely agree with this, specifically Two Shrimps, Bowling, and Moon. The melodies on those tracks completely tie together DOMi's otherwise persistently, almost fetishistically ungratifying sense of harmony. It feels like her brilliance and youth convene and conspire to prevent her from resolving her harmony adequately. It seems like she's so well practiced that, for her, any consonance at all is tritely obvious. While I love tracks like Smile and Space Mountain, I agree with you in believing that it is clear that they benefit from more mature ears on the job with them.
@@shoug6555 I'm sorry but you are just too basic.
Personally, I was sort of hoping this album would be more instrumental, more like their song BC Invaders. Some songs are, but all the features I feel sort of take away from Domi and JD. I know they can do way more, but on a few of the songs they sort of seem to pull back musically. I think I just wanted them to go all out like on some of their other stuff 😂
I love these two so much. They are doing a great job bringing this sort of jazz fusion to a younger audience.
Been watching ever since DOMi posted that vid with Louis Cole at Berkely a long time ago. Love the album and can't wait to continue to watch how they evolve over time
I am not even a jazz enthusiest but I cannot stop returning to give this album another listen.
domi and jd beck, 2 of musics great progidies
Huge fan from Brazil here!
Bro, for real: where’s the Interpol review? The new album is great.
So glad you reviewed this one! This album captures the modern jazz sound that I've come to love.
Cant wait for the album review of $ucideboy$ - Sing Me a Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation
NOT TiGHT sounds very inspired by Giant Steps, so I think the non-resolving chords you are referring to are the Coltrane Changes :D
I agree with the dry mix thing. I know from hearing a lot of their stuff that it’s a signature part of their sound, but it’s really inflexible and squashes down a lot of opportunity for dynamic contrast. I think they should take a page out of Mac DeMarco’s book and experiment with some of that trippy wobbly indie washiness that he’s known for, could lead to some really cool sounds for them
still waiting for sing me a lullaby, my sweet temptation review
I think their dryness works with everything they do, but it'd be very cool if they juxtaposed it more with sections built around not being so dry. Not just talking room verbs and compression etc., I wanna hear straight up synth patches, or epianos drenched in phaser and chorus etc. sitting in a pool of texture.
I also kinda wanna hear them do some deep drum and bass or something like that, inspired by the kind that's known for minimalism and dry but perfected sounds and awesome transients that have little to nothing to compete with in the mix, seemed to rise up around 2005.
Just met them last week the day after the album dropped! They’re so dope!!
Excited to see Beck's new album being so good, his last albums Hyperspace and Colors were pretty mediocre so can't wait to listen to this!
jd beck and beck are not the same person babe
You didn’t watch this did you
@@xXKingEllisXx its a joke
My man really said "progidies" off the bat and didn't do a second take
Ah Anthony - You didn't have to rob us, you didn't review 'U DON'T HAVE TO ROB ME' 😭 Best song on the record
Hard disagree here, especially considering the 9s and 10s melon has given that dont hold a candle to this album. He acknowledges how skilled they are but I don’t think he truly grasps their elite musicianship and groundbreaking sound. Domi & JD are the first artists in quite a while that we can point to and confidently say that they are the future of jazz. I don’t think the album is perfect and I do agree with some points made but I’m feeling an 8 minimum on this one. Very much looking forward to seeing more work from these two.
personally I have been waiting for this album for about 3.5 years. Ever since I saw them live touring with chon. JD was only 16 touring the entire country and playing at other massive shows. Their future is so bright.
Really enjoyed this album. I definitely feel what you mean about some of the tracks not having as much structure and direction to them, though I did enjoy them quite a bit in the context of the album. I thought the pacing was great, and the standouts that you mention feel all the more satisfying and exciting in the midst of some of the wilder, free flowing jazz tracks on here. Very much looking forward to what the future brings for these two, because I have a feeling it's going to be absolutely amazing.
I would also very much enjoy hearing what you think of FKJ's newest album V I N C E N T. I've been a big fan of him for 9 years or so, and his sound has certainly matured while staying true to his own unique style. If you haven't listened to his first full length release, the self-titled French Kiwi Juice is also excellent. Another amazing artist that I think you would very much enjoy is Anomalie. The French Canadian king of jazzy electronic grooves, Nico is an absolutely beast producer in addition to his godlike skills on keys. His first LP Galerie is a real treat, I hope you enjoy it even half as much as I do!
They’re talented as hell and their performances are great, but something about their songwriting and songs has me a bit irked for a lack of better word.
@Dude. what about the album gave you the impression that it's ironic or coated in layers of irony?
@Dude.????
Their work is technically good, but they have nothing to say in terms of human experience.
Compare their work to anything by Coltrane - it’s unfair but will make the point.
Plus, trying fuse hip hop with jazz - not a good idea.
@@mr-peabody tell that to kendrick lamar
@@mr-peabody you were right up until the last part…jazz and hip hop have been successfully combined many times?? that combo has always made sense to me
Actually 9/10 so I’m right ur wrong
This album is young legends being born. I hope some day I like their songs better.
I’m into the dry production personally. I feel it’s super refreshing to hear a mix that sounds close to the idea they had, letting the complexity speak for itself. Vocals could have been louder all over and it sounds like so much fun. I love snoop’s verse actually. Rhyming Porsche with divorcée. Amazing.
Not a fan of Rosenwinkel, so whoa didn’t speak to me.
I really like Domi and JD Beck, but I do agree with what he said about the mixing. The only real issue I have with the album probably had nothing to do with the artists themselves lol, but I wish the mix was done more like their Nord session; it was so dynamic and full, and JD's drums sounded amazing, but on the album everything feels very constrained (especially the drums). I think it was definitely a good first album, and I hope that for their next one they manage to mix it better to showcase JD's drumming just a little bit more.
I really do like this album, but I do agree about the overall dryness of JD's drums. There are times in this recording that sounds like he's staggering due to the very very dry sound of his drums. I'm sure this was the mix they wanted yet I feel as though a little cymbal / high hat brightness would have helped immensely. Just my humble opinion.
say domi like you’re saying dome, not dominate
JD BECK is already one of my favorite drummers
Im a drummer and after about 2 years of following jd beck and domi, jd beck has been THE inspiration for me and kept me listening and practicing music at times where i wasnt mentally able to bring myself to the kit. He is my favorite drummer. SOO insane technique wise and SOO insane at musicality. Incredibly unique style as well.
I like the mixing, allows you to heal all the notes that are flying past at hyperspeed.
I’ve been waiting for this since they were on CHON’s self-titled tour, I’m so glad it came out and it sounds amazing
i miss the chon bros
album of the year for me, these two have so much potential to be the future of jazz...
They definitely have a lot of potential, but I definitely wouldn't say it was the album of the year, most of the featureless songs sounded very much alike and I think a light 7 is an appropriate rating.
@@blzk12 in what world do they sound alike? Whatup sounds absolutely nothing like not tight, not tight sounds absolutely nothing like u dont have to rob me, u dont have to rob me sounds absolutely nothing like duke, duke is entirely different from sniff and sniff sounds literally nothing alike from space mountain.
I may agree. I wouldn't be so sure of calling it undoubtedly better than any other release of this year, but on the other hand I couldn't stop listening to it since it came out😅 I think its, by far, the 2022 album I listened to the most this year so far.
They are the future of jazz..them and so many others
@@Foeisudhxj It's about the sound choice/dry production. The fact the the keyboard and drums remain basically the same (soundwise) through the whole album, with the same mixing, makes the songs without different vocalists harder to distinguish between and if you listen to the album as a whole, it's blends together more than I would prefer. It's not as if the songs aren't composed differently, but composition is not the only thing that affects how sonically different a track is going to sound.
Domi & JD Beck are human jazz robots. theyre songs are gold.
I really like this one. Not my typical fare but reminds me of a smooth jazz version of Flying Lotus with a more raw sound for lack of a better term.
I love this album to death already, and I totally agree with Melon’s critiques. It did feel sonically hollow on some of the more “jam” tracks. I would appreciate some more instrumentation, and generally more space being taken up with other sounds in the future from them. But goddamn, what an amazing debut from these kids.
I can’t agree with you on mixing criticism. Yes, it’s very unusual sound and it’s pretty brave and clever work from a mixing standpoint, saying that as a mixing engineer myself. The spectral range here is a little limited for that special color and aesthetic and that dryness is very complimentary serves their unique style in my opinion. And of course the mix is not completely dry, reverbs are there, but it’s just short. It’s much easier to get impression of clarity with longer reverbs.
Just wanted to say that I’m one of those who like the sound on this record :)
It's very rare that you see Anthony covering jazz. Wonder if we will ever see Fantano reviewing extremely obscure genres like harsh noise or experimental choir music again in the way he did in his early days. I prefer his wording nowadays more, it's clear that he grew up a lot professionally, but he moved towards less WTF records which is sad because seeing him giving a modern take on weird albums would be cool.
5:35 if you just want to know the score
Thanks
First video I have seen by you, and holy smokes you hit the nail on the head from my perspective
That caption is very clever anthony. I would give it a light to a decent 8
Surprised you didn’t touch much on their singing really. I didn’t listen to the singles and my first time through thought the vocals on take a chance and don’t have to rob me were like just backup vocalists they knew. I was floored realizing it was Domi and JD, especially JD. Had no idea they sing and was surprised but not surprised how good they sound
Anthony what are you listening on? I find that sometimes a really dry mix can go along way on a good tube based system which can really embellish a lot of second order harmonics just to add that touch of magic that might be missing from more balanced production/master
Its funny that his dislikes are all different from mine. I didnt really like the album lyrically which ig makes sense since its more of an instrumental album but the lyrical melodies were also pretty repetitive and un interesting excluding demarcos feature, which makes sense since hes a singer song writer.
Moon has pretty good lyrics and great vocal Melodies. Not the most profound lyrics in the world but they are pretty and suit the sound of the song.
i think the dry mixes and loose song forms fit their sound really well tho... it reflects their influences and backgrounds as a good baseline for which they build something new from. although i do agree that weird vocal effect on moon was an odd choice. herbie has a great voice so it was a shame hearing it be drowned in fx
It's funny because Herbie actually has a pretty weak singing voice so he augments it with a vocoder so he can play those beautiful melody lines. He has 2 full albums where he uses a vocoder exclusively, "Sunlight" and "Feets Don't Fail Me Now". Check them out, I really enjoy how he uses the instrument.
I'm really liking this album. Favorites are NOT TiGHT, U DON'T HAVE TO ROB ME, BOWLiNG, and SNiFF has this Tom Jenkinson vibe on it that I'm digging.
0:14 he said progidy instead of prodigy
I swear any album I show any amount of interest in gets a 7
I had issues with the mix too, much preferred the sound of their instagram clips. That said, this record still banged for me.
very glad i'm following you Sir
this album is soundtrack to my summer now :)
Glad you covered this. This duo is one to watch
man just review Sing me a lullaby my sweet temptation already, please.
Really excited for Doja Cats foray into the world of reviewing music. Amazing start, all the luck in the world to you.
it is now on my wall
As a Beach Boys fan it was kinda nice to see a song titled SMiLE, although I doubt it was intentional in any way
Just wait when they release Tight, they coming for that strong 10
These two were so good I had to look them up! AND they are SO YOUNG. HOW ARE THEY SO TALENTED?
not tight is tight as fuck, i felt the same way about the mix but as you highlighted - gives a really clear picture of what they're up to if you're keen to analyse.
i'd been waiting for this for a couple years so im keen to see where they go next!