1984
By
Cigarettes and
Scratchcards
1984 is the first release from the up coming second album
from Manchester artist Cigarettes and Scratchcards. This is the first he has
featured on Infinite Sounds and as such you might not be familiar with his work.
So, here is a bit about him courtesy of this short Bio…
The
self-described “anti-artist” is something of a non-conformist when it comes to
the current music climate. His sound consists of social observations and
dystopian dialect.
Of
course, understanding that Cigarettes and Scratchcards Grew up in a working
class estate in Wigan, a place once home to the infamous George Orwell - it
becomes apparent that the sound we hear today is concomitant with Scratchcards
upbringing.
Whilst
Scratchcards is largely known for his compelling production, best observed
through 2022’s “Scorched Earth Tapes”; he is also known to be one of the most
gifted rappers and audio engineers in the UK, and beyond. From the pen to the
press - he does it all.
In
addition to his own music, Scratchcards has respectable collaboration credits,
having produced for the likes of; Grim Sickers, Tremz, and Local - to name but
a few. On an engineering basis, Scratchcards is responsible for various works
with established acts, including; Window Kid, and Sox, as well as many of
Manchester’s emerging talents.
For
2023, we can expect a steady work rate from Cigarettes and Scratchcards,
with
his second album “Post-Apocalypse” due in the coming months, as well as various
international collaborations.
With all
that in mind might we expect 1984 to be something a little different? Well, the
easiest way to find that out is for me to get into it…
Described
by one of his most personal works to date, 1984 begins with drums closely
followed by this heavy bass sound and a mix of synth sounds which creates this
dark inner-city vibe that has you picturing damp, dark alleyways that are
strewn with rubbish. Cigarettes and Scratchcards then provides what is more
akin to a spoken word narrative which, initially, focuses on his life across a
couple of tough days where he shows life in all its stark, dark reality. He
then expands to a greater view of what life is like in the ever-encroaching
digital age, a place where books are seen as little more than firewood by many
who would rather bow to the rise of the matrix.
As you
listen to what Cigarettes and Scratchcards has to say on 1984, you can feel
that deep personal aspect as he describes how depressing life really is for
those who are stuck in the day-to-day struggle to survive and find a silver
lining where little seems to shine beyond the grey clouds and the shadow of
‘Big Brothers’ ever watchful gaze.
1984 is
more than just a look at how modern-day life reflects the vision of writers
such as George Orwell and those dark dystopian futures that he foretold, no
this is a look at how life is for a majority of people in the UK, especially
those in the deprived inner-city areas. This is not a vision of a dark dystopian
future born of the mind of visionary novelist, this is the stark, gritty
reality of everyday life laid bare for all to see, especially those who chose
not to see just how much the populace has become the pawns in the game of the
rich and entitled. In fact, you could even say that the powers that be might
view us as the shit on their shoes, which they would eradicate tomorrow if they
could.
This is
not one for the sunny days but, more one for those who chose to think about
what is really going on beyond the apparent wonders of the digital world.
Cigarettes and Scratchcards shows the impressive and intelligent grasp of
wordplay and storytelling that could lead him to be looked on as the George
Orwell of the music world perhaps?
1984 is
out today, so give this one a listen and ask yourself just how much you own life
mirrors that of Cigarettes and Scratchcards.
My thanks
to Benson Hedges for sending this one my way and for the bio included in
italics.
Time for
me to be outta here,
See Ya.
Steve
LINKS
Check this Linktr.ee for all your Cigarettes and Scratchcard links:
https://linktr.ee/cigarettes.scratchcards
No comments:
Post a Comment