Bleep

Machinedrum’s A View Of U is an LP which demonstrates that contemporary dance music may have no producer more versatile than the artist known to his friends as Travis Stewart. Much like Machinedrum’s beloved previous work on Ninja Tune: Human Energy and Vapor City, A View Of U is a kaleidoscopic album - across these tracks we find juke, drum & bass and various strains of hip-hop rendered in vivid colour. However, this is also a tightly-knit listening experience, one in which the changes of pace are smoothed out by Stewart’s gorgeous production and ear for harmony.

One glance at a guestlist that includes Father and Freddie Gibbs tells you that A View Of U is a record with a heavy hip-hop influence. The latter proves yet again that he is a gangsta rapper of unrivalled ability on ‘Kane Train’, spitting with immense charisma over a glorious beat that draws from The Alchemist and Harry Fraud. Further feature spots for the likes of Sub Focus and Rochelle Jordan provide evidence of A View Of U’s wide-ranging sonic palette. That said, Machinedrum has never been the sort of artist who needs others to thrive, and the solo productions here are executed expertly - see how closer ‘Ur2yung’ twists up the vibe of ‘Kane Train’ with an adventurousness derived from Nosaj Thing and Teebs.

Machinedrum’s multifaceted A View Of U is a set of bold, brilliant productions from an evergreen talent.