Happy Hour In Dub

ラヴァーズ・ロックの女王、ホリー・クックが2022年にリリースした4枚目のアルバム『ハッピー・アワー』のダブ・ヴァージョン。

Merge RecordsはHollie Cookの絶賛された2022年のアルバム『Happy Hour』と対になるダブ・ヴァージョン、『Happy Hour in Dub』をリリースする。
2012年以来となる彼女のフル・ダブ・アルバムである当作は、オリジナル・アルバムのモダンなラヴァーズ・ロックを注意深く聴くことによって生まれた。「ダブ・レコードを作りたいと思った契機とインスピレーションは、オリジナルの『Happy Hour』には、バック・ヴォーカルやストリングスのアレンジから、もっと繊細な細部に至るまで、曲全体を貫く複雑な音楽的ディテールがたくさんあったからだ。ミキシングのプロセスで、ドラムとベースの土台の上でこれらのパートを聴いたとき、もっと探求すべきことやさらけ出すべきことが、曲の中にたくさん残されていると感じたんだ」と、Cookと『Happy Hour』のプロデューサー、Ben Mckoneは語る。『HappyHour in Dub』では、Josh SkintsとKiko Bunを新たにヴォーカルとしてフィーチャーし、MckoneはHollieのソウルフルな作品を音の限界まで引き伸ばした。

Hollie Cook and producer Ben Mckone decided to make a dub version of the British reggae stars 2022 album Happy Hour while going through the mixing process of the record and finding more room to explore within the lush, detailed arrangements. Happy Hour in Dub sequences the versions in reverse order of the original albums track listing, as if Hollie and her co-producers are retracing their steps. Lyrically, Happy Hour focused on themes of loneliness and self-care, creating a bittersweet dynamic when paired with music that otherwise seems fun and celebratory. While most of Cooks lyrics are dubbed out of these versions, theres still lingering feelings of hurt and disappointment, and a sense that shes attempting to drown out her sorrows. The line "love is a losing game" particularly sticks out during the dramatic "Unkind Dub," which is also filled with rushes of horns and shootout samples from old Westerns. Still, theres more upbeat tracks like "Dub My Way," highlighting "Move My Way"s elastic bassline and garage-inspired rhythm, and adding a whirlpool of whooshing effects. Trombonist Rosie Turton gets a feature credit on "Golden Dub," a mysterious number with suspenseful strings, rich horns, and whispers hidden during the songs bridge. Joshua Waters Rudge from reggae-punks the Skints enthusiastically shouts out to Hollie during "Kush Dub," a version of "Kush Kween" which keeps Jah9s original guest verse. Kiko Bun provides some fragmented words of assurance on the tearful, slightly frantic "Dubbing On," while both he and Hollie seem to dissolve in heavy echo and tape rewind effects. "Happy Dub" takes it all back to the beginning, with Hollie trying to erase her sadness at a beachside cantina. Happy Hour in Dub arguably improves on the original album, expressing emotions that can be difficult to put into words, while also being a fascinating sonic trip. ~ Paul Simpson