- Red Bull Music Academy’s United States of Bass - July 19, 2016
- Red Bull Sound Select: Adrian Younge, No ID, Joey Dosik - April 14, 2016
- LA Red Bull Sound Select: Stormzy, Lizzo, and Kauf - March 28, 2016
Newcomer to the game Varnell Hill recently released his first full-length project, Quantum Leap. It’s a concept album about the struggles, pitfalls, temptation and hope that one encounters while pursuing the limelight of Hollywood. Produced and engineered by Yannick Beats and platinum mix engineer Eric Racy, Quantum Leap is a sonic expedition that is beautifully demented and twisted, just like Hollywood itself.
“Evil” starts off with a chorus that feels like something John Lennon would have written: “I don’t want to know about evil, only want to know about love.” It quickly descends into the altered, pitched-down voice that is the character of ego, excess, and deadly sins that are themes throughout the album.
“Cruel,” features some amazing low end courtesy of bassist Divinity Roxx, of Beyoncé’s live touring band. The production on this track calls for obligatory head bobbing, and plays well in the ride. “You Tell Me,” is definitely the hustling, balling theme song. The wobbling, arpeggio bass line is really nasty, and the way the drums drop in feels so nice, yet unexpected.
The album is really split in two, with the first six tracks featuring the alter ego of Varnell Hill that has embraced the money, women, and vanity of the entertainment industry. The second half of the album is done in Varnell’s regular voice, and expresses the desire to succeed but remain humble.
“The Fall,” featuring Angie Marie feels like it could fit perfectly on a Jhené Aiko album. “Moonlight,” is the most straightforward love song on the album. With the sounds of fireworks exploding in the distance, Varnell Hill sings “I hope you get it when I send you this bouquet to the sky. I give you fireworks.”
Varnell Hill’s Quantum Leap is like a cautionary prequel to Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It’s not purely Rap or mainly R&B, not completely evil and not angelic either. It’s a complicated balance of everything. More than anything, the production on the tracks showcases how talented and tricky Yannick Beats can be. Quantum Leap isn’t an album; it’s an aural experience.
