Released July 22, 2014 Genre Trap, electronica | Recorded 2012-14 Label Warp | |
Format Digital download, 12" vinyl Length 3:33 (album version)
3:12 (remix version) | ||
"Chimes" is a song by Scottish artist and producer Hudson Mohawke. The song gained attention after its appearance on the MacBook Air TV ad, as well as after Mohawke's success through the likes of Kanye West and with the TNGHT project. On November 21, an official remix of the song, featuring rappers Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott and French Montana, was released as a single. The track was featured on a television advertisement called "Stickers" for the Apple MacBook Air.
Contents
Background
The track was originally believed to be a collaboration with Canadian producer Lunice.
TNGHT first premiered the unfinished version of the track during BBC Radio 1Xtra's Diplo & Friends in late 2012, a time which he said was before the EDM-trap trend. "That sound wasn't as prevalent then, and I just sort of made it... it wasn't really meant to be anything," he stated.
After the duo broke up in late 2013.
Composition
In contrast to its title, according to The Guardian, "there isn’t much that’s peaceful about [the song]." Starting off with a fairly amiable skittering drum pattern, it’s not long before the doom-laden horn synth kicks in, plus there’s a wolf barking.
The "ominous" horn lines was also being compared to TNGHT's "Higher Ground" and Kanye West's "Blood on the Leaves".
Critical reception
Writing for The Guardian, Hannah Jane Parkinson voted the song as the week's "Best New Track", stating "If the Grim Reaper and Voldemort hooked up in a David Cronenberg film, this would be 'their song'."
Remix version
A remix version called "Chimes RMX", which features Pusha T, Travis Scott, French Montana and Future, was released on November 21, 2014. Mohawke soon after debuted an interactive video which has similarities to Super Mario 64's menu screen where you can play with the performers' faces.
Usage in media
After "Chimes" was already being mastered and going into manufacture, "by chance", Apple came along and decided that they wanted to use it for their campaign.
Chimes EP
Chimes is the eight extended play by Hudson Mohawke on September 29, 2014 through Warp Records. The EP includes a 170 bpm Gammer remix of the track with UK hardcore influences, as well as two more new productions titled "Brainwave" and "King Kong Beaver".
Background
After finishing the title track, he decided to release an EP before the full-length album.
In July 2015, while debuting the title track, he also announced the release of the album on September 30 and its track list.
Songs
Described by Pitchfork Media, "Brainwave" is a "brooding synth" track that "haunted by soaring choir work", which reminiscent of M83. The last track from the EP was a remix of "Chimes" from DJ Gammer.
Critical reception
While Pitchfork Media's Jamieson Cox calling the title song the "most fleshed-out track", the other two were said to be "minor" but still do expand Mohawke's repertoire, with the EP "does a fine job of sustaining his momentum."