REVIEW | A.G. Cook – “Superstar”

The year 2016 has seen a significant decrease in the quantity of releases from the PC Music camp since the 2015 acquisition by Columbia Records. In the interim, the content has progressed massively in terms of full-fledged, quality productions. The latest offering from the London collective has arrived in the form of label boss, A.G. Cook’s, first proper single release of the year. The upbeat ballad, “Superstar,” was released today as a free download through Soundcloud. The track has also been accompanied by the first iteration of a social media presence from mastermind, A.G. Cook, who recently was appointed as Charli XCX’s Creative Director.

The song was originally teased at the Pop Cube event in Brooklyn of last year, but has now been officially released as the first A.G. Cook single since the acquisition. It is also the first track to feature actual vocals and lyrics sung by A.G. Cook. The track follows a similar progression to Charli XCX’s “Doin’ It” remix by A.G. Cook and Dux Content’s “Snow Globe” from 2015. The constant build and progression keeps the listener waiting for a drop that never comes over the 4+ minute track runtime.  In an age where it seems every other EDM-styled song is built entirely around a serious drop; “Superstar“ debunks that tactic as being necessary.

It makes perfect sense considering PC Music isn’t your typical label following the same dance music tropes that permeates the mainstream EDM/Electro scene.

In an interview with TANK Magazine, A.G. is quoted as saying he has a knack “for making amateur music that is also potentially very slick, where the difference between bedroom and professional studio production can be very ambiguous.” “Superstar” is a perfect example of this. One can imagine this being on the more advanced side of bedroom productions, even with a major label backing. It just goes to show how ubiquitous the personal computer is when it comes to making music. This track embodies the ability to record non-professional vocals, while touching them up in post-processing to create a completely euphoric vocal mix without sounding like another auto-tune clone. The euphoric chord stabs create a sense of forward momentum without relying on a bass explosion or played out sample.
With other releases on the way from Hannah Diamond, GFOTY, Danny L. Harle, and more, 2016 is shaping up to be the best year for PC Music since its inception.

Check out the official lyrics video here.

It is also available as a free download from PC Music’s Soundcloud.

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