Lipphead Dive One Step Deeper in From The Back LP

Authored by Alyssa Barnhill

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The dynamic New York-based production duo Lipphead has gradually built out a sonic playground of funkadelic slides, swinging trumpets, and tipsy, on-the-nose rhythms, bringing their energetic and eclectic instrumental hip-hop style out to play. With already potent pool of established tracks between the two, Blockhead and Elliot Lipp continue to outdo their stereophonic dance floor motif with the sensual blends and lush progressions of their latest record, “From The Back”.

Lipphead · From the Back

Illustrated by the talented artist Maddison Chaffer, the album cover’s recognizable Lipphead character serves as both the group mascot and a personification of their fused musical styles, gesturing back to the likes of Mad Lib’s Lord Quas from hip-hop’s narrative-driven past. The delectable 10-track album easily delivers more of the duo's signature genre-blending mix of head-nod and electro-funk, infused with a groovier spin, with their trademark sense of humor in full swing. Showcasing Lipphead's distinctive style, "From The Back '' seamlessly merges Blockhead's groovy, sample-based palette with Lipp's upbeat electronic melodies and distinctive hardware synthesis. Tracks like "Studio 69" boast a velvety backbone with long synth tones dancing along the melody, while the decadent vocals add a veneer of class to the song’s attitude. In positive contrast, Blockhead's traditional sample-collaging shines in tracks like "Rolling Loud," filled to the brim with recognizable samples that slide across one another like a weave.

As Lipphead gains traction and expands their pool of minted works, the duo is swiftly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting new underground electronic acts. Their infectious and evolving synth-laden swing makes them a powerhouse production combination to watch out for in the ever-evolving music landscape. With each release, they continue to push the boundaries of their appeal, leaving eager fans curious about the future directions they may explore both on and off the stage.

FOLLOW Lipphead: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official

Blockhead and Eliot Lipp Reprise Their Roles in Lipphead for In The Nude EP

In the spaces of trip-hop, electro-soul, and nu-disco, Eliot Lipp and Blockhead are particularly known quantities, with both having been progenitors within their lanes of choice. With just under and over 20 years of professional musical experience under both belts, respectively, they each have their own expansive and evolutionary catalogs; Blockhead’s prolific sample-collaging and Lipp’s unmistakable penchant for warm, analog synthesis have become the mainstay tropes that make their music so instantly identifiable across two decades of minted works. In 2019, the two joined forces under the Lipphead moniker, releasing a self-titled EP that exposed listeners to the vibrant and salacious combination when their skillsets are mingled in symbiotic fashion. Reprising their respective rolls for Lipphead, they’ve gone to ground and back again to create In The Nude, their latest and most impressive collaborative record to date.

Lipphead · In The Nude

Landing with a total of 13 tracks, In The Nude is a full service dive into a plethora of rhythms and sonic perspectives, all threaded together by a constant and unmitigated command of groove. Tracks like “D.I.A.”, “The Squirrel From Ipanema”, and “Wait Til You See My Outro” all wield the classic, downbeat-centric flow that has been so indicative of Blockhead works across his entire career, while “Shallow Halal”, “Proud Dad”, and "Nocturnal Omissions” exude the dance-centric, often frenetic energy of Eliot Lipp’s most impactful compositions. Even with sonic signifiers bending towards one or the other producer, there’s no majority dynamic to In The Nude; every track features a mingled web of hallmarks and classic tones that have made the two artists in question such recognizable acts, suffusing a parity of elements throughout the 33-minute runtime of the album. With jazz and soul thematic elements at play across every arrangement, there’s no moment where the vibe falls victim to lethargy, making every second of the LP’s journey a consistent and sultry bite of the Lipphead apple.

There’s no doubt that we’re often suckers for a solid collaboration, but there’s a notable difference when combined palate is so complimentary before the first notes are even struck. Eliot Lipp and Blockhead have carved out their own specific territories seemingly parallel to one another, making the act of bridge-building a natural step for this key-turn pairing. For discerning fans of broken-beat music with movement in mind, as well as appreciators of either respective discography, Lipphead’s In The Nude should undoubtedly be next on your must-have list.

FOLLOW Lipphead: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official