album · July 2, 2013
A Color Map of the Sun
8 Minutes 20 Seconds RecordsSee this day
electronichip-hoptrip-hop
In 2013, Pretty Lights explored a more organic and sample-heavy sound, leaning into analog recording techniques and live instrumentation to create a cohesive, cinematic listening experience. The album marked a significant artistic step, moving beyond purely beat-based production.
- The album was released on Pretty Lights' own label, 8 Minutes 20 Seconds Records.
- "A Color Map of the Sun" was notably recorded and mixed entirely in a studio, a departure from Smith's previous reliance on laptops and live performance setups.
- The album features extensive use of live instrumentation and analog synthesizers, giving it a warmer, more textured sound than much of Smith's earlier work.
Pretty Lights is the electronic music project of producer Derek Vincent Smith, specializing in a bass-heavy, sample-driven sound that blends hip-hop and electronic music. Emerging in the late 2000s, Smith quickly gained a following for his innovative use of vintage soul and funk samples.
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