The Daft Punk dudes may be generating all the headlines right now for its forthcoming album, Random Access Memories, on which they flip the script by incorporating analogue instruments and production techniques, but they're not the only ones going more organic. Pretty Lights is doing pretty much exactly the same thing with its new album, A Color Map of the Sun, only without the high profile guests and the ostentatious pageantry.
See also: - Q&A with Derek Vincent Smith of Pretty Lights - Pretty Lights gives John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" a sonic makeover - Review/Photos: Pretty Lights at Red Rocks, 8/17/12
Derek Vincent Smith, better known around these parts as Pretty Lights, revealed the details of his new album last night after performing at Coachella. On the forthcoming album, A Color Map of the Sun, rather than relying on samples to construct his new record as he did previously, Smith created all the sounds organically with actual instruments.
While the album, which is due out on Tuesday, July 2, will be available for free download as with past releases. This time around, there will be a physical version for sale that Smith is encouraging everybody to kick down for when it comes out, not only to get the full experience with artwork and additional tracks but to ultimately help elevate the presentation of the music and to further underwrite his ongoing artistic endeavors.
Continue on for Smith's statement about the music and to see a teaser clip from the documentary about the making of the new album.
From PrettyLightsMusic.com:
"This is the first time I am releasing an album as a physical product at the same time as a digital version. I have double disc CDs and full length vinyl records available with amazing hard cover book packaging that looks stunning and contains a 28 page photo booklet documenting much of the making of the album. The second disc of the double CD set contains 13 additional tracks straight off the vinyl acetates that I composed and created in order to make legit sounding samples for A Color Map of The Sun.Like always, the album will be available in its entirety as a free download on the album's release date via prettylightsmusic.com. For the first time, however, I encourage you to purchase a copy of the album. There are two honest reasons for this. The main reason is that as an artist I have always reinvested any success I have directly back into the music, the show and the art that goes along with it. Secondly, this isn't just an album; it is a massive collection of music beyond what is on the CDs that I will continue to put out after the album release. There is an insightful documentary film on the making of this project to be released alongside the launch of the album, as well as a music video for every song. They are all beautiful and uniquely unusual pieces of art.
This "album" is a multi-medium map of my mind and my self. It is personal and honest, and I put everything into it. I have stayed on the path of being a completely independent musician, and with the help of every supporter and friend, we have transformed a simple idea into a movement, a cultural beacon of light. If you can, I encourage you to purchase a digital or physical copy of A Color Map of the Sun. If not simply support by sharing the music and sharing the idea. If there is any success to be had from this album, it will go back into my rule bending, never ending quest to channel beauty and taste through music and art.
Either way, I made this music for everyone. Support this release and let's show the world how we do. The time is now. - Derek Vincent Smith"
Here's the new video for "Around The Block featuring Talib Kweli," the first single from A Color Map of the Sun, which can be downloaded for free at PrettyLightsMusic.com:
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