English musician Stephen Wilkinson, a.k.a. Bibio, is many things rolled into one; nature geek, multi-instrumentalist, chef, not to mention Boards of Canada's number one fan. Since his breakthrough album Ambivalence Avenue, Wilkinson's releases have been an unpredictable smattering of acoustic guitar, gentle ambience, and J Dilla-inspired hip-hop beats, all tied together by his unique sonic signature.
So, when Bibio drops a new track, you never know what you'll get. His latest song, "Crushed Crushed Velvet," goes the hip-hop route, and I couldn't be happier with the choice. It's a genre that has taken the backseat throughout Wilkinson's career, appearing only occasionally on tracks like "You" and "Fire Ant." "Crushed Crushed Velvet" is more chaotic than its predecessors, swirling like a wind-tossed kite controlled only by an invisible string.
It's all for a good cause, too – Bibio joins a long, long list of artists (over 250) contributing to Touched. Two, a compilation benefitting MacMillan Cancer Support. The collection drops Nov. 28, and boasts what is practically a who's-who list of the experimental electronic world.
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Bibio
"Crushed Crushed Velvet"
- 'Touched. Two' charity compilation out 11/28
