Britpop
A.G. has cooked up something remarkable with this 3-part adventure of a record. Despite its gargantuan length, which would normally be off-putting, each of the twenty-four tracks is surprisingly enjoyable. While some songs could be trimmed or left off, the best listening experience comes from approaching the project as if it’s three individual albums, each offering something different and feeling segmented. This raises the question of why they’re billed as part of the same album, but each stands solidly on its own. The first and third discs are quite similar, being mostly instrumental-focused with only one or two vocal tracks each. The first disc is consistently upbeat, danceable hyperpop-adjacent fun with a psychedelic edge, full of ASMR-level ear candy that makes its adventurous twists very satisfying. The third disc, my personal favorite, further pushes the boundaries of diversity and experimentation, ranging from the catchy, pop-structured “Lucifer” featuring Charli XCX and Addison Rae to the oddly uncanny and experimental “Butterfly Craft.” “Pink Mask” is another unexpected moment, delivering a serene, peaceful, and emotional note. It's a wild ride! The second disc is the most distinct, with its folktronica style standing in harsh contrast to the other two. Although it’s more hit-or-miss for A.G., I like it a lot. The bittersweet, peaceful, and nostalgic tone of these tracks adds an emotional edge to what is typically more futuristic, cold, and digital. His vocals and lyrics aren’t perfect but effectively complete this sweet sound. If you were to break off any of the three discs, it should be this one, yet it remains a very solid project. Overall, this feels like a slightly less ambitious but more quality-consistent version of what A.G. did in 2020 with “7G.” The ideas presented there are better executed and more solidly produced here, making this a truly enjoyable album.
A.G. Cook - Britpop
RATING - 8.6/10
FAVORITE TRACKS - Pink Mask, Butterfly Craft, Greatly, Green Man
GENRE - Indie, Pop, Electronic, IDM, Synthpop,