DJ Shadow - Entroducing

This album is often marvelled as the greatest instrumental hip hop album of all time, and for good reason. While it’s not my personal favourite, it can be argued that this is one of the most influential albums in the genre and one that is wholly unique. Entroducing produces one of the most cinematic experiences I’ve ever had with hip hop or a piece of music more generally. While it doesn’t follow a specific storyline, the amalgamation of musical and vocal samples – the way DJ Shadow builds and reconstructs them to bring new sounds to the mix – is something to behold and an example of just how grand and boundary-pushing hip hop can go.

There are a couple of tracks on here that I think overstay their welcome a little or could’ve done with some greater intensity. Despite this, this album’s marvellous and epic nature is undeniable – an incredibly cohesive record that I (and many other hip hop heads) will be returning to for years to come.

KEY BEAT: Changeling – the way this track simultaneously rises and glides through its runtime is often subtle but with (god knows how many) repeated listens its beauty really presents itself. I particularly love the bright guitar line that pops in in the first half, and the amazing almost-psychedelic change in chord progression that kicks off the second half.