Stephen Ellison has been blowing minds as Flying Lotus since signing to Warp Records in 2007. You’re Dead! is his fifth long-player, and it is highly intriguing. At moments you are reminded of Sun Ra Arkestra and Miles Davis fighting playfully while falling down the stairs. At the risk of sounding pretentious, I’d describe You’re Dead! as futuristic impressionist jazz for the digital age.
Kendrick Lamarr and Snoop Dogg put in intriguing cameos. Pharrell Williams reportedly turned down an offer to join them, telling FlyLo he was not entirely comfortable being on a record about death. Ellison has said that he completely respects Pharrell’s position: tracks like ‘The Boys Who Died in Their Sleep’ aren’t for the faint-hearted.
You’re Dead! doesn’t always hit the mark: for me, Cosmogramma and Until the Quiet Comes are far superior albums. But it is still well worth a listen.
OUt now.