- It's 2014, the future is now, and yet there's still so much lacking from the world. No hoverboards, no jet-packs, not even a cure for the common cold. In light of all this, it seems odd that people are still walking such well travelled paths and releasing concept albums with science fiction themes. But then again, execution is everything, and a fresh approach can quickly alleviate concerns that this idea is well and truly played out.
Given the nature of French Fries' past releases, it might seem surprising that he would give his debut album this kind of theme. Tracks such as "Yo Vogue" and "Champagne" were unashamedly fun floor-fillers, full of hip-hop samples, and clearly influenced by UK bass music. But in keeping with the sci-fi concept, Kepler takes its cues instead from Detroit techno and Brian Eno. As great as his earlier work was, this one is all the better for it.
This new pool of sounds that French Fries is drawing from has resulted in an album that works incredibly well as body of music. The record's opening number, "Program," sets the mood: a tense, drawn out track with dripping synths and no percussion. Experimental moments like these tie Kepler together, from the playful melodies of "Organic Recreation" to the album's wonderful closer, "Explore," a simple synthesiser rhythm that bounces along repetitively, and really invokes a sense of space exploration.
Kepler is by no means without its peak-time bangers—in fact it's full of them. Crucially, while they work well as stand alone tracks for DJs, they also stay tied to the album's core concept and narrative. The ringing delay of "Bug Noticed" conjures an image of a computer program glitching uncontrollably. On "Machine," one of the record's highlights, French Fries employs wonderfully inventive drum patterns—rigid snares and cowbells constantly jostle for your attention, sounding like a mess of pistons and gears without ever relying on clichéd industrial tropes. Occasionally its influences are a little too clear—for instance, on "Change The Past," which apes Levon Vincent. But moments like this are easy to forgive on what is otherwise an album that shows a young producer finding a unique voice.
Tracklist01. Program
02. U.M—An
03. Machine
04. Forward Action
05. Organic Recreation
06. Bug Noticed
07. This Kind Of Setup
08. Trying To Understand Curiosity
09. Change The Past
10. K62 feat. Bambounou
11. Journey To Kepler
12. Reality System
13. Explore