Mr. Snoutfair

From Clumsy Media

Mr. Snoutfair is the third overall and second English studio album by Korean-Australian rapper Mr. Kid, released on November 23, 2014 by Clumsy Media. Recording sessions took place primarily at Clumsy Studio in Tokyo, Japan during March 2013 to September 2014. Production was handled by Mr. Kid and several other record producers, including long time friend and collaborator Korean singer MiiKii, DJ Watanabe, Skye Mitsuji, Sean Ekanomi, among others.

Noted by music writers for its varied elements,the album incorporates musical components from Mr. Kid's previous works, including soul, baroque, electro, and symphonic elements. The album deals with themes of vainty and celebrity, with transparent lyrics expressing emotional extremes, ego, uncertainty, and references to abusive drinking. Its subject matter also explores consumer culture, race, and the idealism of the perfect external image.

The album debuted at number one across all major Korean music charts, selling combined 100,000 copies with digital and physical sales in its first week, achievin an digital all kill. It spent twenty-two weeks on the chart and also charted within the top ten in Japan and China. The album was promoted solely with Mr. Kid's second fan meeting series that took place in Japan and South Korea as no tracks were released as separate singles off the album. Upon its release, Mr. Snoutfair received rave reviews from music critics, some of whom viewed it as his best work. Critics praised its ambitious musical range, opulent production style, and the dichotomous themes. In their year-end lists, the album was critics' consensus pick for best album of 2014.

Contents 1 Background Information 2 Production 3 Reception 3.1 Commerical 3.2 Critical 4 Tracklisting

Background Information

Production

Mr. Kid, who had previously recorded at Clumsy Studio in Tokyo, Japan had block-booked the studio's three session rooms indefinitely to work on the album was revealed by the local officials of his agency beginning in August 2013. According to Korean singer songwriter and longtime friend MiiKii, who visited during the recording sessions, "he can work on five different songs at the same time... and when one song hits a creative block, he'll continue with another". He often worked through the night and napped in the studio, and recording engineers were present behind the mixing board for more than eighteen hours a day and was overseen by Japanese producer DJ Watanabe. Before recording in the morning, Mr. Kid reportedly played the video game L4D for at least two hours.

Throughout the album's development, Mr. Kid elicited other producers and musicians to weigh in on its music with conversations and contributions at the studio. In observing discussions among them during his visit, Mitsuji noted: "Despite the heavyweights assembled, the egos rarely clash; talks are sprawling, enlightening, and productive [...] we are here to contribute, challenge, and inspire, and it shows music really sound transcend beyond all language barriers." In an interview with Interview Korea, featured artist Jeanie described the process as "music by committee" and elaborated on its significance to the sessions and her mentor, Mr. Kid's work ethic, stating:

"Day and night he would ask for others' opinions. Every person has a voice and an idea, so he's sincerely looking to hear what you have to say—good, bad, or whatever [...] when he has his beats or his rhymes, he offers them to the committee and we're all invited to dissect, strip, or add on to what he's already started. By the end of the sessions, you see how he integrates and transforms everyone's contributions, so the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He takes everyone's ideas, attract the best part [out] and compile it into a ball of real goods. With him, you just never know what to expect, but you know it'll be good. He's a real wizard at it. What he does is alchemy, really."

Younha said of her studio experience with Mr. Kid, "He's definitely hip-hop, his roots, but what I'm amazed of is the fact he can combine the genres so smoothly together. I did not feel out of place at all." Rapper Genezo characterized the album as "a collage of sounds" and found Mr. Kid's methods unorthodox when recording, saying that "We could easily be working on one song, thinking we're in a mode, and he'll hear a sound from someone like [producer] Han Yeon-so and immediately turn his whole attention to that sound and go through his mental Rolodex to where that sound belongs on his album, and then it goes straight to that song, immediately".

Reception

Commerical

Critical

Tracklisting

1. Kid's Independence Day (Intro.)
2. G'day, Fantasy Man
3. New Lady Ligeia (ft. MiiKii)
4. Twisted Madame (ft. Jeanie)
5. Silent Puppet Coup (ft. Younha)

6. Beauty Gorgeous Su
7. Made in the Bank (ft. DJ Rok)
8. Inflated Sentiments (ft. Gentleladies)
9. United Monsters (ft. Genezo and Jeanie)
10. Unconventional Declaration (ft. Neon Man, HiDidd and B6M)