Cry Sugar

by Hudson Mohawke

Overview

Hudson Mohawke's third album, like his first two, is an excessive, bombastic set of maximalist compositions veering from disjointed trap mutations to unironic fist-pumpers. This time out, providing motivational music for the end times seems to be his goal. His most elaborately designed work to date, Cry Sugar incorporates grandiose strings, gospel choirs, and soulful wails into its fractured, chest-rattling beatscapes. Channeling the highs of formative clubgoing experiences, the best tracks on the record feature giddy synth melodies and overloaded drum patterns, along with ecstatic vocals. "Intentions" is a prime example, with a glimmering synth riff, a distorted, shaking beat, and the choppy exclamation "I'm just searching for freedom when I call out your name." The supremely fun "Bicstan" obscures a desperate vocal cry in a sparkling fusion of happy hardcore and acid, and "Is It Supposed" is an uplifting, piano-driven rave epic. "Dance Forever" inserts kaleidoscopic rave synths and the buzzing noise of some sort of appliance into its already anxious beat, and "Rain Shadow" largely consists of euphoric, cascading trance melodies. "Tincture" sets flickering vocals to a brisk, knocking garage shuffle, and "Come a Little Closer" is a particularly fizzy blend of trap and pop. Diverting from the party are tracks like "Stump," a cinematic fanfare riddled with swarms of nervous glitches, and weird, sludgy experiments like the frightening "KPIPE." While not as effective as the club jams, even the more abstract selections contribute to the album's all-encompassing emotional overload. ~ Paul Simpson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/12/2022
Label:	Warp
UPC:	0801061115517

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hudson Mohawke   Primary Artist
Ross Birchard   Keyboards
Tkay Maidza   Vocals
Clarence Coffee, Jr.   Vocals
Cid Rim   Drums
Kwes.   Piano
Jeff Mills   Scratching
Chad Hugo   Keyboards
Rag'n'Bone Man   Accordion
Sasha Alex Sloan   Vocals
Rett Smith   Guitar
Tayla Parx   Vocals
Mette Towley   Vocals
Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi   Strings
Karyyn   Vocals
Eli Teplin   Keyboards
Ayatollah Hogmanay   Flexatones
Jamaica Elrahar   Vocals
Jonty Chapeau   Guiro
L. Ron Wessley   Triangle
Girth Wind and Fire   Percussion

Technical Credits

Ross Birchard   Mixing,Composer
Clarence Coffee, Jr.   Composer
Willehad Eilers   Artwork
Norman Whiteside   Composer
Faith Evans   Composer
Chad Hugo   Producer,Composer
Sasha Alex Sloan   Composer
Olivier St. Louis   Composer
Tayla Parx   Composer
Mette Towley   Composer
Karyyn   Composer,Producer
Johan Lenox   Composer,String Arrangements
Joker   Mixing,Mastering
Austin Seltzer   Mixing
Noah Baker   Design
Wayne Horse   Artwork