<p><span><span>- Consummate musician Thundercat is about to release his fourth album <em>It Is What It Is</em>. Out on <strong>Brainfeeder,</strong> the label of his frequent collaborator / producer <strong>Flying Lotus</strong>, they have brought forth a concise collection, touching on both levity and loss, while retaining his signature musical stylings.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>It Is What It Is</em> has a definite arc as an album, and less of a mixtape feel than his previous LP, <em>Drunk</em>. There’s the <strong>Squarepusher</strong>-esque breakneck rapidity of <em>How Sway</em>, with its blistering bass guitar and keyboard. There’s the familiar disco stomp of of <em>Funny Thing</em>, another excellent example of the Fly Lo and Thundercat boogie side. A short dose of disco. <em>Overseas</em> is a comical track that features a spoken word outro by comedian <strong>Zack Fox</strong>. At this point <em>Dragonball Durag</em> is already a modern classic (another one under his belt). It’s a smooth and ultimately silly song that’s infectious. Thundercat's sweet vocal harmonies meet, pound-for-pound, with his ever virtuosic playing, complete with saxophone and clavinet. Long-term collaborators <strong>Kamasi Washington</strong> and <strong>Louie Cole </strong>feature on the album too. Then, towards the end of I<em>t Is What It Is</em> there are songs like <em>King Of The Hill</em> – offering a spooky opening with xylophone and electric piano before the groove comes in. Another glimpses at Thundercat’s more contemplative side.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The albums shifts from light, jovial tracks to more downtempo songs with existential themes as it progresses. Informed by the loss of his friend and collaborator <strong>Mac Miller</strong>, there are heartbreaks and alcoholic dirges, even as the album connects lineages of funk, from <strong>Jaco Pastorius</strong> and <strong>Steve Arrington</strong> to <strong>Steve Lacy </strong>and <strong>Childish Gambino</strong>. In a time of sadness and loss, this record pays elegant tribute to an absent friend, via Thundercat's mostly comprehensively stylish execution to date. Loss is never easy, but the best among us can say just what it means to them, with levity, grace and power; <em>It Is What It Is. </em></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Hillfolk.</span></span></p>
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3299585300/size=large/bgcol=f…; seamless><a href="http://thundercat.bandcamp.com/album/it-is-what-it-is">It Is What It Is by Thundercat</a></iframe>