REVIEW: Apple Bottom ‘Forget It’

“What is that and why is it not in my headphones?” – Cute girl in library (2012)*

Well cute girl in library, this is the sound of Apple Bottom’s inaugural single ‘Forget It’ out by the end of the month on the ever fabulous Night Tracks. While this may be Joseph Arthur’s (aka: Apple Bottom) first official release, the dude sounds like a seasoned veteran. Keeping tracks quirky and bright, especially in the sense of experimental bass, isn’t an easy task. With that being said, Apple Bottom is able to do so. The easy route and a trend that has emerged as arguably omnipresent throughout most experimental bass, is to go dark. Real dark. In theory, of course this is a good idea, but in practice, it can become cumbersome and overwrought to keep blasting morose hums and manically depressive moans (of course that’s not to say that sometimes; say when you’re trying to get low, this discourse is in fact necessitated). But, in the case of Apple Bottom, this is not a problem. Yes, low tones make their way into Arthur’s production, but are highlighted and further accented by the sporadic albeit intelligently placed pitching of near perfect vocal samples.

The title track, “Forget It,” erupts out of the gate with a massive presence. As seemingly randomized vocal progressions, funky synth lines, and lumbering kick beats fill the composition, one can make the comparison of “Forget It” to glowing auditory fireworks, or you know, just really clever music. Because that’s what this is. Make no mistake, while you find that “Forget It” is a highly danceable first release, these are not simple bangers. On the contrary, it’s easy to see that some thought was put into these rhythms. And even though some points of “Forget It” do feel a tad overworked and, at times, ‘too cerebral’ for the dance floor, relevancy is reconstituted through the carefully timed drops Apple Bottom utilizes.

In comparison to the title track, “Ur Touch,” is tad less intellectual, but that shouldn’t necessarily elicit a negativistic response. This production displayed here is still supremely smart, especially if you take under consideration that Arthur is only sixteen years of age. “Ur Touch” is simply made to be bumped; hard. Form the opening thump, it’s simple to recognize that yes, this is dance music, and that yes, Apple Bottom can curate some serious bangers. After all, that’s what “Ur Touch” genuinely is; a smart and provocative club basher.

At its worst, ‘Forget It’ establishes itself as a massive starting point; a release to grow off of. While it could stand to be a little less cluttered and, at times, dumbed down merely for the sake of accessibility, I would seriously argue that these seemingly detrimental characteristics simply add to Apple Bottom’s youthful charm. But that goes without saying, at its best, ‘Forget It’ is catchy, cerebral dance music that even today’s strongest artists could reference in terms of both creativity and astuteness. Not to mention, it attracts the ladies…

Snag ‘Forget It’ on Night Tracks bandcamp page by the end of the month.

*PS: Dear cute girl in library, if you are reading this, my name is Brian, you have good taste and I would very much like to date you.