MUPH & PLUTONIC …AND THEN TOMORROW CAME
‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ is the highly anticipated 3rd full length album from acclaimed Melbourne hip hop duo Muph & Plutonic.
Through the release of two landmark albums, ‘Hunger Pains’ and ‘Silence The Sirens’, along with relentless touring throughout Australia, the duo have risen to stand at the absolute pinnacle of this swiftly evolving industry. ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ cements this position with a maturity previously unheard on any Australian hip hop release.
Already vaunted as “the Aussie Hip-Hop king of down-tempo, head-nodding rhythm” (JMag), Plutonic Lab’s first class production on this album soars to impressive new heights. Live instrumentation radiates warmth throughout the album by way of an all-star three piece horn section, Plutonic himself on bass, keys and drums plus the addition of critically renowned DJ Bonez to the group compliments the organic sound. As testament to this versatility, guest vocalists include Australian rock icon Pete Lawler, jazz legend Paul Williamson and soul songstress Jess Harlen.
Muph’s deeply conscious approach to song-writing draws inspiration from the struggles and releases, the ebbs and flows of everyday life. He delivers his lyrics with a relaxed flow and natural tone, at once a friend in conversation and an artist in full flight. His lyrical content on ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ is insightful, often humorous, observational and introspective, laying bare the bones of his experiences in love and pain, substance abuse and redemption.
The album’s first single, ‘Size Of The Soul’, sees Muph’s vocals bursting with wit atop head-nodding drums, and a groove-laden bottom end. ‘Size of the Soul’ is an addictive song that has been received by both Australian radio and music lovers with open arms. The forthcoming second single, ‘Beautiful Ugly’, evokes an energetic 1960’s go-go feel, complete with lo-fi organs and 3 piece horn section. Dealing with issues of escapism through alcohol and drugs, the almost ironic juxtaposition of lyrical content to up-tempo feel is captured beautifully by Jess Harlen’s vocal hook.
Muph raps about the danger of an over-inflated ego on ‘Balloon Heads’, a dubbed out reggae track that features the smooth vocals of Kye imploring us to “pop these balloons one by one,” while ‘Yesterday’s Basement’ is a beautifully delicate, attention grabbing song about secrets and trust. Plutonic’s production on this track is astonishing, coupling Chris Toronyi’s heart-rending finger-style guitar with stiff, organic drums.
‘Filthy Rich’ is a laidback, jazz-infused joint that suitably features smooth vocals from Paul Williamson, accompanied by blues-laden piano samples and climactic horn swells. The title track, ‘And Then Tomorrow Came’, features Pete Lawler accompanied by licks of blues harp and is followed by its partner track, ‘Today’. A posse track with guest verses from L.A’s Eligh and The Grouch of Living Legends fame along with Australian stalwarts Raph Boogie and The Tongue, all five rappers lend their unique style to each verse over a slamming Plutonic Lab beat littered with horn stabs and glitchy-808 undertones.
‘Wrong’ is the story of a tug-of-war of the heart, set over a fierce straight-eighths drum groove and carefully modulating chord sequence, with DJ Bonez lending his inimitable skills to each chorus. ‘Don’t Worry About Nothin’, the final track of the album, highlights Jess Harlen’s sultry vocals alongside Muph’s critical honesty over a beat that conjures gospel images with Sly Stone tendencies.
A video to the second single ‘Beautiful Ugly’ is set to hit screens in the near future.
Muph & Plutonic will take ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ on a 30 date nationwide tour throughout August, September and October 2008.