Mk.gee did an interview on bbc radio with benji b talking about the album and he said he was trying to make a record that sounded like a "liminal space," so it sonically and lyrically felt like you had heard it before but something was kinda off about it in a semi-creepy way. So your retranslation analogy was pretty spot on all things considered. He also says the story of the album is the "second coming" of a superhero, Two Star, and his battle with the Dream Police, so its pretty interesting stuff. I'm sure there's even more depth to it than that but mk.gee is notoriously mysterious haha. Anyway thanks for the video I really like your take on it
That was a great interview, even though he couldn't quite elucidate on what "liminal" meant. In my interpretation, his music is meant to evoke the nostalgia of a youth we never had, but with a completely new, fresh sound, and I think he has nailed it. "Are you looking up" was the first song I heard from him, and it is still one of my favorites. The entire album has a retro vibe while still feeling incredibly fresh and compelling. A perfect example of being liminal: If you watch the live version of that song, it is shot in modern 16:9 format, but "framed" by the door of the van he is moving in, so it also evokes the 4:3 ratio of old-school TV's. He pays homage to Prince, Sting, Phil Collins and other great artists from the 80's and 90's, without being derivative. This guy is already a legend of this generation. I bought tickets to his show in September, and I haven't been so excited to see an artist in a very long time.
AAVA The Steve Lacy thing seems to be the LA effect where talented producers and players have been tasked to produce or write for super clean pop. Getting put in those sessions all the time seems to make them want to subvert pop in a certain way in their solo stuff, especially by making pop with ‘something off’, seemingly to excite themselves
wow, would never put that together. this got me thinking about Big Mike's by Dijon and if it was named after him and it turns out that's the first song Dijon and Mk.Gee ever made together.
AVAA i loved your description of this style. I also get a lot of Arthur Russell in these songs, especially in how you can feel the room that they record in.
Side note: I think the lyrics are pretty cool! But you also don't pick them up until your seventh listen because they're so mumbled, but then it's like a whole new layer has been revealed. They're interesting and impressionistic in the same way the guitar playing is
AVAA , great vid as always. just a quick note: there are some very valid theories on the lyrics and meaning of the album on Mk. Gee’s subreddit. they are pretty easy to find, and i would highly suggest doing some research and seeing what other people theorize the album is about. i think they might be on to something with “addiction” being the theme…
saw this great theory on Alesis, where the track is around the two stars(the headless and the heartless) and mk gee. Where basically it’s internal struggle between making the right choice or giving to temptation. The lyrics alternate between perspectives. “Don’t you want to get a move on” headless, “escapism so easily…” super dope theory and makes the track better
@@plasticlifee gonna need a source on that cuz there used to be an interview up from like 2016 that got taken down where he says it's pronounced McGee like the surname. also exactly why that album is even called "Pronounced McGee" lol
Justin Vernon / Bon Iver has had many pursuits. Gayngs being one of them that’s very with in this context. Volcano Choir being another that gives me the same feeling.
Such a brilliant record. This was the RIYL I came up with for it off the dome lol: RIYL: the first Westerman LP, Joni Mitchell's "Taming the Tiger," Dijon, Bon Iver's "Beth/Rest," Arthur Russell, Pitchfork 7.8 score
Hey there. If you'd like to be one of the first to see the Harry Potter equivalent of Backstroke, I'm starting to do that dub. Some of the same vocal actors are involved. I used to think it was funnier to have Backstroke be anonymous but eventually other people started wanting to take credit, so this time around I'm telling people. People have been asking lately to re-do Backstroke with A.I. Other than this being something they could just do themselves, I'm not opposed to having everyone sound like Gold. It was certainly a good character to start out on, as I found myself more singing the lines than acting them, and the limitations of that seemed to work, where my friend who played Ratio Tile was simply a better actor.
I think it's interesting you compare Mk.gee and Dijon to vaporwave. I feel this album (Two Star...) is very reminiscent of Oneohtrix Point Never. More specifically his album Magic Oneohtrixt Point Never. It feels very much like a lost radio station from the 80s. But in a way that can only exist today. Hypnagogic. I remember when vaporwave and Ariel Pink were all the rave, and hypnagogic was a trendy word. But anyways, OPN is arguably the inventor of vaporwave, with his project eccojams (or it was arguably James Ferraro not trying to start a discussion on this). But I feel what makes OPN's ( as OPN or eccojams) and Mk.gee's music, and vaporwave, special is that hypnagogic feeling. Of a lost past that can only be realised in the present. A place that can only ever exist in our minds, as "dreams".
love the widening of the net, so to speak - this is the first non-HipHop review of yours I've watched! Have you heard any ML Buch or Astrid Sonne? Both Danish, both operating under the 'ambient' genre. Think you might enjoy trying to unpack them!
How the HELL do you remember what's going on in each song without listening? How much do you listen before a review? I get that you have made notes but still, it seems like you can hear every song in your head as you're speaking about them
I really like this analysis, but hearing Mk.gee pronounced as "Mick G" was so triggering for me 😩. It was obviously the original intention since his name is Michael Gordon, but "mac gee" sounds so much better and he's confirmed this pronunciation in the past.
AVAA. I think you'd enjoy listening to Consequence of Sound by 12 Dogs and I'd really enjoy hearing your analysis on it. It's a conscious, largely boom-bap influenced hip-hop album that reflects on the struggles of post-Apartheid South Africa, written produced and performed by a group born in South Africa, entirely after Apartheid. I think it's a really interesting look into the problems the youth of South Africa see in one of the most unequal countries in the world. Thanks!
What did he mean by Adam Corolla being “prager-y” or “pragerie”?? Seamed odd. Almost like ideological signaling. 💀 Am I missing something? Is he referring to Dennis Prager?? Lmao
I hold both Prager and Carolla in high esteem as broadcasters. I’ve listened to Prager’s radio show many times and I willingly cite Carolla as a bonafide comedic genius. However, they both got wrapped up in the conservative grift and lost all credibility in my eyes. I think it is sad because they always held beliefs different to my own, but they used to challenge me. Now it is just culture war talking points. Truly sad. I will do a Carolla video on my second channel someday.
@@professorskye ahhhh I see. I wouldn’t characterize someone else’s beliefs as a “grift” if I were truly concerned with challenging my own beliefs. But to each their own. Anyway, I enjoy your videos. I like that you generally stick to the music, from what I’ve seen. I don’t think you display much hate or animosity towards ideas/politics that differ from yours. It’s very refreshing. Thank you for replying!
I think he IS “trying to say something”, like: “I’m selfimportant, I’m angry and irritated but pose as nonchalant, I’m kind but am embarrassed by it afraid that it can be interpreted as a weakness…..” that’s how it feels to me.
The Old Guard is dying, they desperately need their next Cobain. Who was nothing more than the Lennon they needed at that time too. Its not gonna happen... they will die
Mk.gee did an interview on bbc radio with benji b talking about the album and he said he was trying to make a record that sounded like a "liminal space," so it sonically and lyrically felt like you had heard it before but something was kinda off about it in a semi-creepy way. So your retranslation analogy was pretty spot on all things considered. He also says the story of the album is the "second coming" of a superhero, Two Star, and his battle with the Dream Police, so its pretty interesting stuff. I'm sure there's even more depth to it than that but mk.gee is notoriously mysterious haha. Anyway thanks for the video I really like your take on it
woah! Thanks for expanding this lore. imma find the interview
Yes he is mysterious, I asked him what gauge strings he uses and he said “really high”
That was a great interview, even though he couldn't quite elucidate on what "liminal" meant. In my interpretation, his music is meant to evoke the nostalgia of a youth we never had, but with a completely new, fresh sound, and I think he has nailed it. "Are you looking up" was the first song I heard from him, and it is still one of my favorites. The entire album has a retro vibe while still feeling incredibly fresh and compelling. A perfect example of being liminal: If you watch the live version of that song, it is shot in modern 16:9 format, but "framed" by the door of the van he is moving in, so it also evokes the 4:3 ratio of old-school TV's. He pays homage to Prince, Sting, Phil Collins and other great artists from the 80's and 90's, without being derivative. This guy is already a legend of this generation. I bought tickets to his show in September, and I haven't been so excited to see an artist in a very long time.
@@don.alanishe uses baritone strings on a standard jaguar
That makes sense, the chord progressions remind me of the Backstreet Boys but with a grunge texture
I'd say the "indie funk" label is more fitting for his first two projects. I'm assuming he didn't update his bandcamp haha.
AAVA The Steve Lacy thing seems to be the LA effect where talented producers and players have been tasked to produce or write for super clean pop. Getting put in those sessions all the time seems to make them want to subvert pop in a certain way in their solo stuff, especially by making pop with ‘something off’, seemingly to excite themselves
DNM stands for Dijon N Mike professor
wow, would never put that together. this got me thinking about Big Mike's by Dijon and if it was named after him and it turns out that's the first song Dijon and Mk.Gee ever made together.
@@jorgeskufthat song was named after Mike by the way
AVAA i loved your description of this style. I also get a lot of Arthur Russell in these songs, especially in how you can feel the room that they record in.
Side note: I think the lyrics are pretty cool! But you also don't pick them up until your seventh listen because they're so mumbled, but then it's like a whole new layer has been revealed. They're interesting and impressionistic in the same way the guitar playing is
What does AVAA stand for? I keep seeing it everywhere
AVAA , great vid as always. just a quick note: there are some very valid theories on the lyrics and meaning of the album on Mk. Gee’s subreddit. they are pretty easy to find, and i would highly suggest doing some research and seeing what other people theorize the album is about. i think they might be on to something with “addiction” being the theme…
I think the best contemporary comparison to Mike's music is Blood Orange
Both arthur russell influenced
I think Jai Paul is closer to it. Blood Orange is a bit cleaner sounding
@@c-quintessential3648 we're splitting hairs here with this one but you won't find me disagreeing with you
Thats the most insanely beautiful dissection of this style of music. I totally agree, its like a charming translation of a translation.
saw this great theory on Alesis, where the track is around the two stars(the headless and the heartless) and mk gee. Where basically it’s internal struggle between making the right choice or giving to temptation. The lyrics alternate between perspectives. “Don’t you want to get a move on” headless, “escapism so easily…” super dope theory and makes the track better
This video was how I found mkgee, i saw him live and am a big fan now, thanks skye AVAA
it’s funny that even after releasing an album telling people how to pronounce his name people still say Mick-jee and not Mick-ghee lol
i mean technically this guys sayin it how mk.gee originally pronounced it but enough people said mc-gee at his concerts he just went with it haha
@@heerobigby yeah but that's never been his name lol been following him since he started dropping music and he's always been pronouncing it mc-gee
@@jac.andrewnah mkgee dated my sister in like 2015 he’s right.
@@plasticlifee gonna need a source on that cuz there used to be an interview up from like 2016 that got taken down where he says it's pronounced McGee like the surname. also exactly why that album is even called "Pronounced McGee" lol
@@jac.andrew I said 2015.
AVAA. Check out James Ferraro, you’d be fascinated by his work!
AVAA great observation of bruce hornsby can’t stop playing this record
You are a true music cricket 😀
Justin Vernon / Bon Iver has had many pursuits. Gayngs being one of them that’s very with in this context. Volcano Choir being another that gives me the same feeling.
Such a brilliant record.
This was the RIYL I came up with for it off the dome lol:
RIYL: the first Westerman LP, Joni Mitchell's "Taming the Tiger," Dijon, Bon Iver's "Beth/Rest," Arthur Russell, Pitchfork 7.8 score
Hey there. If you'd like to be one of the first to see the Harry Potter equivalent of Backstroke, I'm starting to do that dub. Some of the same vocal actors are involved. I used to think it was funnier to have Backstroke be anonymous but eventually other people started wanting to take credit, so this time around I'm telling people.
People have been asking lately to re-do Backstroke with A.I. Other than this being something they could just do themselves, I'm not opposed to having everyone sound like Gold. It was certainly a good character to start out on, as I found myself more singing the lines than acting them, and the limitations of that seemed to work, where my friend who played Ratio Tile was simply a better actor.
AVAA, so happy you covered this. my aoty so far
the indie funk is super obvious in his first 2 records not really in 2 star. I always enjoy your commentary
I think it's interesting you compare Mk.gee and Dijon to vaporwave. I feel this album (Two Star...) is very reminiscent of Oneohtrix Point Never. More specifically his album Magic Oneohtrixt Point Never. It feels very much like a lost radio station from the 80s. But in a way that can only exist today. Hypnagogic. I remember when vaporwave and Ariel Pink were all the rave, and hypnagogic was a trendy word.
But anyways, OPN is arguably the inventor of vaporwave, with his project eccojams (or it was arguably James Ferraro not trying to start a discussion on this). But I feel what makes OPN's ( as OPN or eccojams) and Mk.gee's music, and vaporwave, special is that hypnagogic feeling. Of a lost past that can only be realised in the present. A place that can only ever exist in our minds, as "dreams".
5:00 well described 👍🏾
AVAA, i commented on your 21 savage video about this album very happy you checked it out
14:15 Adam Corolla “before he got all weird and Prager-y” 😂
if you liked the weird watery guitar tones and hushed vocals you should check out Flanafi! big fan of his last 2 albums
I think indie-folk is more to describe hos old stuff, like pronounced mc.gee, as musuem of contradiction is more ambience mixed with other instruments
Peabo Bryson is the goat, put some respect on his name. ✌🏾
IM READY! love this album
Also AVAA of course
AVAA
Sky, I need to know have you heard the new Armand hammer song, “Doves”. It’s their best yet
AVAA YESSSSSS LETS GO
hey Skye AVAA! I encourage you to check out the new Armand hammer song "doves" I think it would be worth it's own video
homsar
YEAHHHHHHH
love the widening of the net, so to speak - this is the first non-HipHop review of yours I've watched! Have you heard any ML Buch or Astrid Sonne? Both Danish, both operating under the 'ambient' genre. Think you might enjoy trying to unpack them!
Absolutely phenomenal artists!
review hypochondriac by brakence next please!!!!!
This guy probably calls Gifs Jifs. Still, great review.
LETS GOOOOO
What kind of knot is that?
avaa !!
How the HELL do you remember what's going on in each song without listening? How much do you listen before a review? I get that you have made notes but still, it seems like you can hear every song in your head as you're speaking about them
Prounouced McGee - Great album and.... yeah
Sure, but i'd render it more like mcGhee - the G as in Games, not Germs
I really like this analysis, but hearing Mk.gee pronounced as "Mick G" was so triggering for me 😩. It was obviously the original intention since his name is Michael Gordon, but "mac gee" sounds so much better and he's confirmed this pronunciation in the past.
AVAA. I think you'd enjoy listening to Consequence of Sound by 12 Dogs and I'd really enjoy hearing your analysis on it.
It's a conscious, largely boom-bap influenced hip-hop album that reflects on the struggles of post-Apartheid South Africa, written produced and performed by a group born in South Africa, entirely after Apartheid. I think it's a really interesting look into the problems the youth of South Africa see in one of the most unequal countries in the world. Thanks!
sorry professor but the the mic sounds worse than not having it imo
Pronounced McGee
AVAA
AVA
The music feels like something that relies on effects (the way ambient layering does) and without the effects it would sound as something flatter.
You might also like the band Uncle Reno
"Muh-ghee" not "Mick-G" c'mon man!!
Mih gee
What did he mean by Adam Corolla being “prager-y” or “pragerie”??
Seamed odd. Almost like ideological signaling. 💀
Am I missing something? Is he referring to Dennis Prager?? Lmao
I hold both Prager and Carolla in high esteem as broadcasters. I’ve listened to Prager’s radio show many times and I willingly cite Carolla as a bonafide comedic genius. However, they both got wrapped up in the conservative grift and lost all credibility in my eyes. I think it is sad because they always held beliefs different to my own, but they used to challenge me. Now it is just culture war talking points. Truly sad. I will do a Carolla video on my second channel someday.
@@professorskye ahhhh I see.
I wouldn’t characterize someone else’s beliefs as a “grift” if I were truly concerned with challenging my own beliefs. But to each their own.
Anyway, I enjoy your videos. I like that you generally stick to the music, from what I’ve seen. I don’t think you display much hate or animosity towards ideas/politics that differ from yours. It’s very refreshing. Thank you for replying!
I think he IS “trying to say something”, like: “I’m selfimportant, I’m angry and irritated but pose as nonchalant, I’m kind but am embarrassed by it afraid that it can be interpreted as a weakness…..” that’s how it feels to me.
There is some truth to it, even tho I actually enjoy the album
Pronounced "McGee" lmao
Really didn’t dig this album…feels dead 😂
The Old Guard is dying, they desperately need their next Cobain. Who was nothing more than the Lennon they needed at that time too.
Its not gonna happen... they will die
AVAA