Atira – Ins†rumen†als vol. I

September 9, 2012 • self-released

I went browsing Bandcamp just for kicks, as is my wont, this time looking for some cloud rap, not knowing I'd stumble onto one of the greatest hip hop productions I'd ever hear. Sound like strong words? Yeah, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but Ins†rumen†als vol. I is still beautifully-crafted and I've been loving every minute of it.

Atira's production is the "cloud" sound at its most pure—triumphant choirs, glittery sci-fi synths, ambient drones, deep bass, all drenched in reverb and glued together with some stripped-down yet rock-solid drum beats and the occasional trap hi-hat rhythm. It's a pretty basic formula, one that doesn't change much between songs, but it's one that I think is done better here than I've heard just about anywhere else. Okay, yes, you have the great Clams Casino instrumental mixtapes, but Atira's sound is a much different style—much more classical-oriented than Clams' soul-based music. (An oversimplification, but you get my point.)

Being instrumental, I suppose that one's enjoyment of this album would rely on how long they can handle these kind of ultra-dramatic beats (and I know more than a few people find this kind of music to be cheesy), but I don't feel that it really needs any vocals (especially not the sort that usually go with cloud rap). I feel like it would ruin the pristine vibe the music gives off. True, without vocals it does get a bit repetitive as it goes on, but I'm probably not really "supposed" to be listening to it all the way through at once. But you never know, the right rapper could add a lot to these beats, someone just has to try and find out.

Anyway, Atira has really got something great going on here, and deserves a much bigger audience. Maybe it's just me who thinks that cloud rap is one of the most interesting new scenes, but if so, albums like this will probably change peoples' minds.

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