One Flight Up

Released in late 2019, One Flight Up represents a refined distillation of the Cloudchord sound. Derek VanScoten, the Emmy-winning producer and guitarist behind the project, utilizes this four-track EP to bridge the gap between the chillhop community and the world of nu-jazz. Unlike many of his peers who rely heavily on sampled melodic loops, VanScoten records live guitar takes that feature complex harmonic substitutions and blues-inflected improvisation, giving the record a human 'swing' that is often missing from electronic downtempo. The production is characterized by its clarity; while it retains the 'dusty' aesthetic of lo-fi hip-hop, the guitar is mixed with a crisp, hi-fi presence that highlights every finger-slide and vibrato. This EP solidified Cloudchord's reputation as a leader in the 'guitar-chill' subgenre, moving away from the more experimental leanings of his earlier work toward a more cohesive, sun-drenched aesthetic.