London-based experimental/art/glitch/noise/electro-pop duo Jockstrap has just announced the remix album for their Mercury Prize-nominated debut, “I Love You Jennifer B” (Rough Trade Records). The album is titled “I<3UQTINVU” (I love you cutie I envy you). The lead single from the record, “Red Eye,” featuring Atlanta-based artist IAN STARR, has just been released. If it’s representative of the rest of the project, we are in for quite a ride.
Sampling Jennifer B’s opening song, “Neon,” which begins with Georgia Ellery singing the lyrics “Red eye after the dawn,” “Red Eye” takes a departure from the original’s slow, brooding, and moody atmosphere. Instead, it transforms into an explosive expression of rage set against a candy-coated electrical storm of an instrumental backdrop. In this remix, Ellery’s singing is replaced by the furious rap delivery of Atlanta-based trap artist IAN STARR. His style can be likened to a blend of Yeat, Playboi Carti (although one could draw parallels to any artist from the Opium label), and elements reminiscent of 100 Gecs.
Taylor Skye chops and modifies STARR’s vocals and lyrics in such a relentless manner that, for most of the song, it becomes challenging to decipher the words he’s uttering. However, considering the influx of music within the hyper-pop scene in recent years, this doesn’t necessarily detract from the energy that the music exudes. Ultimately, that’s what counts most. Once your ears adapt to the sheer chaos assaulting them, you can discern the swagger in STARR’s lyrics, with lines like “IAN STARR on top, lil bitch, Jockstrap on top, lil bitch.” Additionally, there are numerous references to Rick Owens and Margiela sprinkled throughout, interspersed with his bursts of what the music video captions as “RAW ENERGY.”
As intense as the song is – and my god, it’s absolutely wild – the fact that Skye can embed so many catchy melodies within the layers of electronic madness is truly impressive. It leaves you in awe. It’s uncertain whether the rest of the project will maintain the same breakneck pace and insanity as this brief sprint, but one thing is certain: Jockstrap will continue to keep me on my toes for what is bound to be a long and triumphant time.