'Crack Rock' is the new self-titled release from the eclectic pairing of singer-songwriter Anthony Mills alongside musician and producer Marek "Latarnik" Pędziwiatr exclusive to Astigmatic Records.
Initially seeking inspiration from the yacht rock stylings in the vein of The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, Mills and Pędziwiatr prove a pairing that could be described as much unexpected as it is eclectic with each artist having taken fascinating paths to bring them to this, their debut, release. Despite experiencing something of a resurgence with recent releases from Emm Gryner ('Business & Pleasure') and even Pharrell Williams ('Black Yacht Rock') each continuing their own celebrations of the genre, Mills and Pędziwiatr's musical ambition seems to have propelled the duo into even more otherworldly musical experiences generating a truly compelling project.
Anthony Mills' diverse resume has found the US-born artist grace an inordinate amount of projects from the hip-hop icon KRS-One, the R&B songstress Leela James, UK rapper Ty alongside projects by a selection of Swedish artists - where Mills currently resides - including electro and house production duo Dada Life and Glam Sam & His Combo. Mills' most notable success perhaps came in the form of 'Cookie Dough' which was released through Tru Thoughts Records and found Mills' vocal paired with Freddie Cruger's production under the Wildcookie banner. A project that drew on an electro-inspired vision of hip-hop meeting neo-soul, Wildcookie was demonstrative of Mills consistent ability to adapt and evolve his sound - a technique expertly employed once again for Crack Rock alongside new collaborator, Pędziwiatr.
For Marek "Latarnik" Pędziwiatr, stepping outside of the box is certainly not a new string to his bow. As a member of Astigmatic flagship collectives - EABS and Błoto - as well as frequent collaborators for Pakistan-based ensemble Jaubi and UK saxophonist Tenderlonious, Pędziwiatr has presented a multitude of varying facets to his music through projects that serve as homages to everything from golden era hip-hop to Polish heritage and Sun Ra. A project like Crack Rock certainly positions Pędziwiatr in a compelling new setting but predictably it's one he continues to flourish within.
As cited earlier, yacht rock may have served as the initial inspiration for the album but the end-result is perhaps more aptly framed as an 80s, disco-inspired dancefloor sensation that sees each artist rewrite their own rule book. And perhaps that's what 'Crack Rock' is - either the result of a very formulated, dynamic and intrinsically specific rule book or it's the complete absence of one. A project that seems devoid of musical genres and restrictions opting for an unhindered perspective of collaboration under the nurturing confines of Astigmatic Records.
Anthony Mills' personality-driven and charismatic lyrics and overall presentation has found a veritably like-minded creator in Marek Pędziwiatr - his innovative sonic soundscapes afford such unrestricted freedom, it'll be fascinating to see how Crack Rock continue to evolve and develop over subsequent releases.
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