Zomby is a British electronic musician who began releasing music in 2007. He has released music on several labels, including Hyperdub, Werk Discs, and 4AD. Zomby's influences include oldschool jungle music and Wiley's eskibeat sound.[1][2]
Zomby | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Justin Moulds |
| Genres | Dubstep, electronic, jungle, eskibeat, future garage, wonky |
| Occupation(s) | Producer |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | 4AD, Big Dada, Cult, Hyperdub, Ramp, Werkdiscs, XL |
| Website | myspace |
Career edit
Zomby's first major release was the Zomby EP in 2008 on the Hyperdub label.[3] This was followed in the same year by the full-length album, Where Were U in '92?—the title both a reference M.I.A.'s song "XR2" and an homage to the rave scene of the early 1990s.[4] This was reflected by the music which was a mixture of chiptune-inflected UK garage style with the more upbeat, ravey stylings of breakbeat house. Zomby used equipment from the period to record the album, such as the Akai S2000 sampler and Atari ST computer.[5]
In 2009, he released a subsequent collection of tracks, One Foot Ahead of the Other.
In 2011, Zomby signed to 4AD Records,[6] on which he released Dedication, also in 2011. In a four-star review in The Guardian, it was described as "an album of pensive, thought-provoking sadness," drawing comparisons to pianist Keith Jarrett and 1990s techno act Spooky.[7] Later that year, he released the Nothing EP.
In 2013, Zomby released a double album, entitled With Love.[8] On 9 October 2015, Zomby released 'Let's Jam 1 & 2' on XL Recordings.
Zomby's fourth album, Ultra, was released on the Hyperdub label in September 2016. It featured collaborations with Burial, Darkstar, HKE, Banshee and Rezzett.[9]
Plagiarism controversy edit
In early 2012, UK producer Reark posted a loop to SoundCloud entitled "Natalia's Song"[10] he claimed to have written in 2007 and that Zomby had plagiarised. Reark later posted a YouTube video demonstrating the track laid out in music making software Reason.[11] Reark had already reported copyright infringement in August 2011 to both 4AD and Zomby, and 4AD responded by co-crediting Reark on the single in late 2011.[12]
Accusations of sexual assault edit
In February 2018, fellow musician Cult Days accused Zomby of sexual assault[13] Zomby failed to confirm nor deny the claims.
Discography edit
Albums edit
- Where Were U in '92? (Werk Discs, 2008) (Cult, 2012, vinyl re-issue)
- Dedication (4AD Records, 2011)[14]
- With Love (4AD Records, 2013)
- Ultra (Hyperdub, 2016)
- Mercury's Rainbow (Modern Love, 2017)
EPs edit
- Memories (No label, 2007)
- Zomby (Hyperdub, 2008)
- One Foot Ahead of the Other (Ramp Recordings, 2009)
- Nothing (4AD Records, 2011)
- Let's Jam I & II (XL Recordings, 2015)[15]
- Gasp! (Big Dada Recordings, 2017)[16]
Singles edit
- "Memories (Darkstar Remix)" / "Saytar" (MG77 Recordings, 2007)
- "Liquid Dancehall" / "Strange Fruit" (Ramp Recordings, 2008)
- "Mu5h" / "Spliff Dub (Rustie Remix)" (Hyperdub, 2008)
- "Rumours & Revolutions" (Brainmath, 2008)
- "Spliff Dub (Sukh Knight Remix)" / "Spliff Dub (Starkey Remix)" (No label, 2008)
- "The Lie" (Ramp Recordings, 2008)
- "Digital Flora" (Brainmath, 2009)
- "Natalia's Song" (4AD Records, 2011)
- "A Devil Lay Here" / "Basquiat" (4AD Records, 2011)
References edit
- ^ "Grime / Dubstep: The Year in Grime / Dubstep | Features". Pitchfork. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "THE SELF-TITLED INTERVIEW: Zomby :: self-titled magazine". Self-titledmag.com. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "Zomby – Zomby EP". discogs.com. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ Patrin, Nate (14 January 2009). "Zomby: Where Were U in 92?". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Zomby". 4AD. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (8 April 2011). "Zomby Signs to 4AD". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Dave Simpson (7 July 2011). "Zomby: Dedication – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "With Love by Zomby". 4ad.com. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Pearl, Max (30 June 2016). "Hyperdub to release new Zomby album, Ultra". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ^ "Natalia's Song (original pre-Zomby loop) by reark on SoundCloud – Hear the world's sounds". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "'Natalia's Song'-gate: Reark submits video evidence against Zomby – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "Natalia's Song by Zomby/Reark". 4AD. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Lipsky, Jessica (28 February 2018). "Zomby, Busdriver, and Kool A.D. accused of sexual assault: Report". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ Harvell, Jess (12 July 2011). "Zomby: Dedication". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Zomby: Let's Jam!!". Bleep. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Wilson, Scott (4 August 2017). "Zomby returns with new EP, GASP!". Fact. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
External links edit
- Zomby at XL Recordings
- ZombyMusic on Twitter
- Zomby discography at Discogs
