Kypski: Wreck Fader

Wreck Fader is not just music, it’s also an online 3D video game. It’s a bit of savvy marketing, but the truth is this album could stand on its own. It’s that great. Full of turntablism and scratching, Wreck Fader is an amazing collection of songs. Kypski is Thomas Elbers, a native of Utrecht, Netherlands, who is the four-time National Turntable Champion of his home country. He has also won the Dutch DMC Finals. Featuring collaborations from Daedelus, D-Styles (Low End Theory) and K La Boss (EPMD / Lil Wayne), among others, this record works as a whole, but its individual moments are delectable. Beginning with the sound of a really, really old record making incredible pops and cackles, Wreck Fader is full of retro and yet futuristic sounds, often in the same blush. A lot of this music contained within reminds me of a particular genre of old school disco, space music, and Wreck Fader certainly reaches for the heavens and beyond.

The title track itself (the original version, not the remix which is additionally included on the album) is so heavy on the low end that it’ll give your subwoofer a workout, if you want it to. (Be careful, though, that you don’t drill a hole in your floor.) For a hip-hop influence album, this record also plays like glistening electronica, all cities made of glass and neon light. Wreck Fader additionally casually skips across genres, making for a listen that might leave you breathless. For instance, there are hints here and there of salsa and Latin music. What’s more, Wreck Fader is an incredibly bright and happy-sounding platter. If you’re looking for a sonic adventure, and love the sound and warmth of old analog records mixed in with squelchy keyboard sounds, look no further. This is a record that you don’t just listen to, you experience it. And, yes, you can play it two ways: by putting on the physical album or heading off online and finding the video game that this album is based on. Either way, prepare to get lost in scratch land. Wreck Fader is a delight.