Have you ever wondered what hip hop would sound like with bluesy elements like acoustic guitar and hard hitting piano? Accompanied by a master freestyler, rapping with a historical bent, who isn’t afraid to croon? Well, it sounds awesome.
Meet Astronautalis, a rapper based out of Seattle, who delivers a unique style of rap that evokes a feeling of Depression-era Americana and combines elements of traditional rap, blues, and indie. His latest album, Pomegranate, is a tour de force that will get you bobbing your head and pondering the lyrics that Astronautalis, a master storyteller, delivers. Songs like “The Wondersmith and His Sons,” a blues guitar-driven tune, and “The Secrets of the Undersea Bell,” a song featuring dirty drumming and parlor piano, give an idea of the diverse and enigmatic imagery that are the norm in Astronautalis’ canon. Astronautalis delivers his lyrics in a variety of ways: rapping with a practiced expertise, singing softly, taunting menacingly, or occasionally utilizing spoken word.
Astronautalis played the Highline Ballroom last night and will be coming to Brooklyn on November 2nd to play Rock Shop. His shows are legendary for the energy he brings to the stage. I will have an interview with Astronautalis and a show review to bring some of his unique music to rocknyc.
Here’s a great video for his song Trouble Hunters, an infectiously catchy song that you won’t want to forget.