Australia's What So Not is pleased to announce his long awaited debut album 'Not All The Beautiful Things' - out via Sweat It Out - featuring frequent collaborator Skrillex, legendary rock lords Toto, plus San Holo and SLUMBERJACK to name only a few.
Over three years in the making, Not All the Beautiful Things is about transformation and metamorphosis, a culmination of everything the Australian-born artist has been working towards as he's built his reputation as one of the most innovative producers in the game. More than an album, it's a fully realised artistic statement in which What So Not is in full control of every aspect, from the stage design and visuals to the music videos and merchandise.
"I didn't want to put anything out that doesn't cohesively match the essence of the songs," explains the man behind it all, Chris Emerson.
What So Not enlisted some friends to help represent the many moods and voices of the project. The 12-track album will include single Be Ok Again featuring former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, as well as Stuck In Orbit featuring vocals by BUOY and co-written by Jono Ma (of Jagwar Ma).
For his debut project, What So Not tapped longtime collaborator Skrillex, and fellow Australian breakout stars SLUMBERJACK along with Rome Fortune, San Holo, Dyro and more. Daniel Johns lends his versatile vocals to multiple tracks on the project.
Perhaps most eyebrow-raising of all, the album features a collaboration with rock legends Toto. After years of Emoh dropping their seminal sing-a-long hit Africa in his sets, Emoh was able to go into the studio with one of his favorite bands to write their new anthem We Keep On Running.
Having established himself as one of the world's most revered electronic acts, it's hard to believe that What So Not hasn't yet released an album. The man behind such massive anthems as High You Are, Waiting (with Skrillex and RL Grime), and his remix of RUFUS du Sol's Innerbloom (#30 on Triple J's Hottest 100 list for 2016), has a slew of EPs under his belt, including 2016's widely-praised Divide & Conquer.
Song Review of What So Not - Not All the Beautiful Things by Thomas Bleach
“Not All The Beautiful Things” hears What So Not honing his craft and delivering 12 well produced electronic tracks. Teaming up with Slumberjack for album opener “Warlord” he offers a theatrical EDM track which is full of visual sensory overload and will absolutely explode in his live show. He then launches into the first of 3 tracks with Silverchair lead singer Daniel Johns on “Be Ok Again”. This track offers a pop polish which perfectly belongs on Triple J’s heavy rotation list. “If You Only Knew” is a little forgettable while “Same Mistakes” is sonically very different hearing them take a soul vocal approach. “Beautiful” featuring Winona Oak is a club pop banger that is up there with the indie-pop lead single “Stuck In Orbit” feat. BUOY. For “Demons” he explores a diverse and versatile sound that re-introduces the hip-hop elements to his music before “Monsters” gives the classic rap track which is a little forgettable. I expected a lot from the Skrillex and KLP collaboration “Goh” and while it is a good track it is also very predictable and fell a little flat from expectations. Toto’s “Africa” has recently become a viral hit again and What So Not has decided to team up with the iconic rock band on “We Keep On Running” and lets just say that it’s no “Africa”. As a debut album he combines all of the elements that have made his previous singles so memorable and huge in their own ways. He’s impressively showcased his production skills and created some cool moments that will come alive in his live show. Some are a little forgettable but as a collective they work well.
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