MTV1987
MTV1987 | ||||
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Studio album by Kevin Abstract | ||||
Released | July 15, 2014 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 52:27 | |||
Label | Self-released | |||
Producer |
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Kevin Abstract chronology | ||||
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Singles from MTV1987 | ||||
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MTV1987 is the debut album by American recording artist Kevin Abstract, released on July 15, 2014.
Background
Kevin Abstract began writing and recording his debut album MTV1987 near the end of 2013, soon after the release of his first self-titled EP.[1] It was recorded in just under 6 months of constant studio sessions with his in-house record producer, Romil.[2] MTV1987 is a conceptual album that fuses elements of past and present pop culture with the setting of the predominantly digital age we currently live in today. The album itself describes actual events that transpired in Kevin's life such as his constant falling out of love with a drug addict as well as family issues and dealing with finding his place after freshly graduating high school.[3] Kevin uses his experiences to try and reach out to the kids of his generation who would "rather be in their bedroom pretending to be someone else online than going to a high school party and attempting to socialize"[4] The overall sound of the album was inspired by artists such as: Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears.[5]
Reception
Upon release, MTV1987 was met with positive critical acclaim and was praised for its experimental nature as well as the overall catchy pop tone it manages to consistently maintain.[6] The album was posted on popular music sites such as: Billboard,[2] Complex,[6] Spin,[7] 2DopeBoyz,[8] and Pigeons & Planes.[9] The album ranked at #38 on Spin's "Top 40 Hip-hop Albums of 2014"[7] list as well as #31 on Pigeons & Planes' list of "Top 50 Best Albums of 2014"[10]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dad" | Ian Simpson | Romil | 1:07 |
2. | "Save" | Simpson | Romil | 3:31 |
3. | "Hell / Heroina" | Simpson | 6:58 | |
4. | "27" |
| Romil | 4:17 |
5. | "Drugs" | Simpson | Romil | 6:53 |
6. | "Mom" | Simpson | Romil | 1:05 |
7. | "Tame Cab" |
|
6:20 | |
8. | "Degas Park" |
| Romil | 4:21 |
9. | "Snakes" (featuring Matt Champion) |
| Romil | 6:54 |
10. | "Rush" (featuring Sage Williams) | Simpson | 4:41 | |
11. | "Camp Green Lake" | Simpson |
|
4:50 |
12. | "Drug Dealer" | Simpson | Romil | 1:44 |
Total length: |
52:27 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional writer / producer.
- "Dad" features additional vocals by Ian's Dad.
- "Save" features additional vocals by Lontalius.
- "27" features additional vocals by Jack Larsen.
- "Drugs" features additional vocals by Russell Boring.
- "Mom" features additional vocals by Ian's Mom.
- "Tame Cab" features additional vocals by Russell Boring.
- "Snakes" features additional vocals by Frank X.
- "Drug Dealer" features additional vocals by Drug Dealer.
Sample credits
- "Dad" and "Mom" contain samples of "Sandy", performed by Whirr.
- "Save" contains a sample of "The Krockadile", performed by King Krule.
- "Hell" contains a sample of "Trust Us", performed by Crystal Castles.
- "Tame Cab" contains a sample of "When the Levee Breaks", performed by Led Zeppelin.
- "Camp Green Lake" contains a sample of "Keep Digging", performed by Kermoadi.
Personnel
- Russell Boring – mixing, mastering, additional vocals (tracks 5, 7), additional production (track 7, 10)
- Matt Champion – featured artist (track 9), writer (track 9)
- Drug Dealer – additional vocals (track 12)
- Frames Janco – production (track 11), guitar (track 7)
- Frank X – additional vocals (track 9)
- Neil Hemnani – additional production (track 10
- HK Covers – creative direction, graphic design
- Ian's Dad – additional vocals (track 1)
- Ian's Mom – additional vocals (track 6)
- Kiko Merley – additional production (track 3)
- Jack Larsen – additional vocals (track 4), additional writing (track 4)
- Lontalius – additional vocals (track 2)
- Robert Ontenient – additional production (track 3)
- Shaamir – additional writing (track 7)
- Rex – co-production (track 7)
- Romil – executive production, creative direction, production (tracks 1-12)
- Ian "Kevin Abstract" Simpson – executive production, creative direction, lead artist, writer (tracks 1-12)
- Quiet Luke – guitar (track 3)
- Ameer Vann – additional writing (track 7)
- Sage Williams – featured artist (track 10)
- Merelyn Wood – additional writing (track 8)
References
- ↑ "Here's Kevin Abstract's Self-Titled EP". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
- 1 2 "After studiously recording with in-house producer Romil for six months". Billboard.
- ↑ "A Track-by-Track Conversation With Kevin Abstract About MTV1987". ILS Magazine. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
- ↑ "This album is for all of the self-conscious kids who would rather be in their bedroom pretending to be someone else online than going to a high school party and attempting to socialize". Billboard.
- ↑ "All of these songs were inspired by my favorite people in the world: Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Cudi.". Billboard.
- 1 2 "He does a great job conveying his inner secrets and insecurities into music that is sometimes catchy, sometimes experimental, and almost always enjoyable". Complex.
- 1 2 "Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) - Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 - 4". Spin. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
- ↑ "Kevin Abstract - MTV1987 (Album)". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
- ↑ "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
- ↑ "The Best Albums of 2014". Retrieved 2015-09-02.