Originally slated to be released on March 25, Baauer pushed up the release recently for his debut artist album Aa to today and nobody is complaining. The quick 13-track album starts out with just lone Baauer instrumentals and unlisted shouts and then has features from the likes of Pusha T, Future, M.I.A., Rustie and G-Dragon.
Baauer inadvertently became a meme and overnight internet sensation when the "Harlem Shake" became everyone and their boss' favorite thing to do. His name became synonymous with the song, a composition he now tries to distance himself with an album that diversifies his offering as an artist.
The album shows the versatility that Baauer can bring to his production. It opens with the soft and ethereal "Church" and immediately turns up with the first single from the LP "GoGo!." "Church" is later reprised in an even more melodic version alongside Rustie. The various collaborations all show Baauer's chameleon way to make a song his own, while still work to the strengths of the artists on the track.
The album flows surprisingly well as an album. Songs like "Temple" were a bit odd as a standalone single with its long a cappella opening, but within the context of the album it fits right with the softer "Way From Me" and "Make It Bang."
Despite being 13-tracks long, it is only 33 minutes long, which works in Baauer favor with short shots of differing production hitting the listener's ear drum and before they might go stale, he moves onto the next track. Since he is reliant on features, this works with many only lending one verse or one hook to a song.
To support the new LP, Baauer is going out on a short U.S. First Foot Tour starting next week on March 22 in Cambridge and then hitting cities like Denver, New York City, Miami and Washington D.C. over the next week. Get the details here.
Stream Aa below and pick up a copy on digital or physical.
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