The Only She Chapters

The Only She Chapters

Rooted in hip-hop, but deftly incorporating other styles, Scott Herren — a.k.a. Prefuse 73 — is a master mood-maker. Many Prefuse 73 tracks are instrumentals, but he’s also worked with MCs and singers over the years. On 2011’s The Only She Chapters, Herren’s interest in crafting intriguing textures never flags. Several female vocalists guest on the album, including the late Broadcast vocalist Trish Keenan, who appears on “The Only Trial of 9000 Suns.” One of the best tracks, “The Only Hand to Hold,” features My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden taking a dramatic turn in a finely rendered psych setting. Don’t expect retro hip-hop on “The Only Boogie Down;” instead Niki Randa’s ethereal voice floats around a spacey, ritualistic soundspace. “The Only Direction In Concrete,” which spotlights the updated goth vocals of Zola Jesus, displays Herren’s noisier side. “The Only Lillies and Lilacs, Part 2” finds guest singer Faidherbe lending the song a classic ‘80’s 4AD vibe. And the penultimate cut, “The Only Repeat,” swirls with vocals that evoke a spacier version of the ‘60s band, the Free Design.

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