Blackhaine
In the mid 2000’s, the late writer and critic Mark Fisher started blogging about Hauntology. A term borrowed from French philosopher Jacques Derrida, and one that has since been applied across pop culture; Hauntology, in its most basic form, says that the future is destined to be haunted by the past. Concerned with ghosts and lost futures – Hauntology is the mourning of something that could have been.
‘Armour’ is a record filled with such ghosts. The debut EP from Lancashire artist Blackhaine, out November 27th via Fixed Abode, combines elements of drill, hip-hop and electronic music to create a world-building soundscape that incorporates narratives of loss and longing. Recorded between Preston and Salford during the first UK lockdown, ‘Armour’ is haunted by those empty streets and forgotten summer months. It is also a complex record about addiction, vulnerability and escapism – with songs that deserve to be played not only in bedrooms but in the sweaty basement clubs of a post-pandemic world.
Take EP opener ‘Blackpool’ for example. The first single from this project, it begins in lowkey fashion with distorted synths. The song then morphs into a hybrid drill beat that facilitates Blackhaine’s distinctive flow as he jumps in with the line “say you wanna be someone”. Throughout the EP Blackhaine’s delivery is unique, sitting somewhere between spoken word and rap. It is direct, aggressive, and contains raw emotion. “The vocal takes seem really bruised and vulnerable to me now, originally written for a downtempo, slower production”, Blackhaine said about tracks ‘Blackpool’ and ‘Death in June’. “Jack (Rainy Miller) pushed these vocals into a much more sonically vibrant place”.
Indeed, it is this production that ties ‘Armour’ together and contributes to its fully realised identity. A collaboration with musician and producer Rainy Miller, who’s 2019 debut album ‘Limbs’ had people hailing him as “Lancashire’s answer to Frank Ocean”, ‘Armour’ is characterised by skewed drill beats and chopped instrumentals. The music is atmospheric and, combined with Blackhaine’s unique brand of storytelling, creates a cinematic vision of inner-city life.
Another defining aspect of ‘Armour’ is that it’s a proudly northern affair. It was recorded in Salford and Preston, it is the product of two Lancashire artists, it is the debut release from new Preston label Fixed Abode, and it features an appearance from Manchester musician Iceboy Violet. Armour is in sound, personnel and aesthetic a true northern powerhouse.
Haunted by the past and lost futures, on ‘Armour’ Blackhaine and Miller build an auditory world that echoes with feelings of longing. It is an EP for the times - but not one to be defined by it. Aggressive yet vulnerable, ‘Armour’ is a scrapbook of influences and ideas that come together to create a fully realised noir vision of northern inner-city life.
‘Armour’ will be released on 27th November via Fixed Abode
photography TOM MCKEAN
styling JACK BOWES RORY WOOD
words OLLIE PLUMB
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