Happy Hour in Dub

by Hollie Cook

Overview

Hollie Cook and producer Ben Mckone decided to make a dub version of the British reggae star's 2022 album Happy Hour while going through the mixing process of the record and finding more room to explore within the lush, detailed arrangements. Happy Hour in Dub sequences the versions in reverse order of the original album's track listing, as if Hollie and her co-producers are retracing their steps. Lyrically, Happy Hour focused on themes of loneliness and self-care, creating a bittersweet dynamic when paired with music that otherwise seems fun and celebratory. While most of Cook's lyrics are dubbed out of these versions, there's still lingering feelings of hurt and disappointment, and a sense that she's attempting to drown out her sorrows. The line "love is a losing game" particularly sticks out during the dramatic "Unkind Dub," which is also filled with rushes of horns and shootout samples from old Westerns. Still, there's more upbeat tracks like "Dub My Way," highlighting "Move My Way"'s elastic bassline and garage-inspired rhythm, and adding a whirlpool of whooshing effects. Trombonist Rosie Turton gets a feature credit on "Golden Dub," a mysterious number with suspenseful strings, rich horns, and whispers hidden during the song's bridge. Joshua Waters Rudge from reggae-punks the Skints enthusiastically shouts out to Hollie during "Kush Dub," a version of "Kush Kween" which keeps Jah9's original guest verse. Kiko Bun provides some fragmented words of assurance on the tearful, slightly frantic "Dubbing On," while both he and Hollie seem to dissolve in heavy echo and tape rewind effects. "Happy Dub" takes it all back to the beginning, with Hollie trying to erase her sadness at a beachside cantina. Happy Hour in Dub arguably improves on the original album, expressing emotions that can be difficult to put into words, while also being a fascinating sonic trip. ~ Paul Simpson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/11/2023
Label:	MERGE RECORDS
UPC:	0673855078823

Tracks

1. Praying Dub
2. Dub My Way
3. Dub in the Dark
4. Golden Dub
5. Unkind Dub
6. Kush Dub
7. Full Moon Dub
8. Dubbing On
9. Happy Dub

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hollie Cook   Primary Artist,Vocals
Dennis Bovell   Vocals (Background)
Matt Roberts   Trumpet
Cyrus Richards   Organ,Piano
James McKone   Guitar (Bass)
Joe Price   Guitar
Harry Brown   Trombone
Maverick Sabre   Vocals (Background)
Jah9   Vocals,Featured Artist
Joshua Waters Rudge   Featured Artist
Kiko Bun   Vocals,Featured Artist
Rosie Turton   Trombone,Featured Artist
Ben McKone   Drums,Percussion
Luke Allwood   Organ,Piano,Clavinet,Synthesizer
Alicia Berendse   Violin
Emma Topolski   Vocals (Background)
Venetia Jollands   Violin
George Millard   Saxophone
Claire Newton   Viola
Gilly McMullin   Cello
Ray Charles   Saxophone
Josh Skints   Vocals

Technical Credits

Josh Skints   Composer
John Purcell   Engineer
Hollie Cook   Composer,Producer
James McKone   Composer
Joe Price   Composer
Robin Eisenberg   Illustrations
Daniel Murphy   Design
Maverick Sabre   Composer
Janine Cunningham   Composer
Kiko Bun   Composer
Ben McKone   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Luke Allwood   Composer,Producer