Raised in the heart of Manhattan, producer Tony Simon AKA Blockhead is rooted in the hip hop culture. As a teenager, his aspiring rap career began with his friends and was parlayed into production after befriending rapper Aesop Rock while attending Boston University. One thing leads to another and Blockhead became the first American producer welcomed on the British genre-bending label Ninja Tune.
Now 20 years deep into his artistic career, he brings his work in hip hop full circle. First, his Spring 2019 release Free Sweatpants ceremoniously showcased a line-up of hand-picked rappers on his MC-driven album. Just months following this career milestone, he answers with a full instrumental LP Bubble Bath.
Bubble Bath captures flawless sample mutations and technical craftsmanship found in Blockhead's creative flow state. This 12-track LP leads listeners into a frontier of frantic, yet warming sub-bass driven trip-hop tunes from the start. With opening single "On The Bright Side" to his title track "Bubble Bath" we immediately understand that each track is a plot which progressively thickens through each new phrase.
Just as his Spring 2019 release Free Sweatpants gave the lyricism its rightful say, Bubble Bath harnesses omni-layered melodic movements to give the music its voice. Curiosities grow steadily throughout, as poly-rhythmic sample collages coax us toward the psychedelic sonic mural of each track. Listeners witness Blockhead's realm of raw feeling and time-tested creative muscle memory that's rooted him in the world of hip hop. To celebrate, he's going on tour.
The supporting line-up Eliot Lipp and Blockhead's labelmates Arms and Sleepers and il:lo of artist-led collective Future Archive Recordings will take their musical exhibitions coast to coast. Grab tickets for your city here.
Stay up to date.
New music and exclusive updates in your inbox weekly.
Buy Blockhead's 2x LP of Bubble Bath, merch and more via Future Archive Recordings here.
Mugs, t-shirts,
hoodies, vinyls & more.
