Chimes (song)

"Chimes" is a song by Scottish artist and producer Hudson Mohawke. The song gained attention after its appearance on the MacBook Air TV ad, as well as after Mohawke's success through the likes of Kanye West and with the TNGHT project.

"Chimes"
Remix version cover
Single by Hudson Mohawke
from the album Chimes
Released22 July 2014
Recorded2012–14[1]
Genre
Length3:33 (album version)
3:12 (remix version)
LabelWarp
Songwriter(s)Ross Matthew Birchard[2]

On 21 November an official remix of the song, featuring rappers Pusha T, Future, Travis Scott and French Montana, was released as a single. The track was featured on a television advertisement called "Stickers" for the Apple MacBook Air.[3]

Background

The track was originally believed to be a collaboration with Canadian producer Lunice. TNGHT first premiered the unfinished version of the track during BBC Radio 1Xtra's Diplo & Friends in late 2012, a time which he said was before the EDM-trap trend. "That sound wasn't as prevalent then, and I just sort of made it... it wasn't really meant to be anything," he stated.[4]

After the duo went on hiatus in late 2013.[5]

Composition

In contrast to its title, according to The Guardian, "there isn’t much that’s peaceful about [the song]."[6] Starting off with a fairly amiable skittering drum pattern, it’s not long before the doom-laden horn synth kicks in, plus there’s a wolf barking.

The "ominous" horn lines was also favorably compared to TNGHT's "Higher Ground" and Kanye West's "Blood on the Leaves",[5] both of which Mohawke worked on.

Critical reception

Writing for The Guardian, Hannah Jane Parkinson voted the song as the week's "Best New Track", stating "If the Grim Reaper and Voldemort hooked up in a David Cronenberg film, this would be 'their song'."[6]

Remix version

A remix version called "Chimes RMX", which features Pusha T, Travis Scott, French Montana and Future, was released on 21 November 2014.[7] Mohawke soon after debuted an interactive video which has similarities to Super Mario 64's menu screen where you can play with the performers' faces.[8]

Usage in media

After "Chimes" was already being mastered and going into manufacture, "by chance", Apple came along and decided that they wanted to use it for their campaign.

In late 2019, the song was featured in the trailer for The Last Dance

Track listing
Digital download – remix
No.TitleLength
1."Chimes (RMX)" (featuring Pusha T, Future, Travis Scott and French Montana)3:12

Charts
Chart (2014)
  • Peak
  • position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[9] 84
France (SNEP)[10] 30
UK Indie (OCC)[11] 9
UK Indie Breakers (Official Charts Company)[12] 1
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[13] 12

Chimes EP
Chimes
EP by
Hudson Mohawke
Released29 September 2014
Recorded2012–14
Genre
Length11:29
LabelWarp
Producer
  • Hudson Mohawke
Hudson Mohawke chronology
Hud Mo 100
(2013)		 Chimes
(2014)		 Lantern
(2015)

Chimes is the eighth extended play by Hudson Mohawke on 29 September 2014 through Warp Records. The EP includes a 170 bpm Gammer remix of the track with UK hardcore influences, as well as two more new productions titled "Brainwave" and "King Kong Beaver".

Background

After finishing the title track, he decided to release an EP before the full-length album.

In July 2015, while debuting the title track, he also announced the release of the album on 30 September and its track list.[14]

Songs

Described by Pitchfork, "Brainwave" is a "brooding synth" track that "haunted by soaring choir work", which reminiscent of M83.[15] The last track from the EP was a remix of "Chimes" from DJ Gammer.[16]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME7/10[16]
Pitchfork6.7/10[15]
PopMatters[17]

While Pitchfork's Jamieson Cox calling the title song the "most fleshed-out track", the other two were said to be "minor" but still do expand Mohawke's repertoire, with the EP "does a fine job of sustaining his momentum."[15]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ross Birchard

No.TitleLength
1."Chimes"3:31
2."Brainwave"2:17
3."King Kong Beaver"2:40
4."Chimes" (Gammer Re-Edit)3:03
Total length:11:29

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[18]

  • Hudson Mohawke – production (1–3)
  • Mervyn Bruge – horns (1)
  • Billy Ray Cunningsnatch – vocals (2)
  • Maury Ballstein – keyboards (3)
  • The Kissing Bandito – handclaps (3)
  • Gammer – edit (4), production (4)
  • Dick Astley – horns (4)

References
  1. "Hudson Mohawke - Chimes". YouTube.com. 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
  2. "ASCAP Repertory entry for this song". ASCAP. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  3. "Apple - MacBook Air - TV Ad - Stickers". YouTube.com. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
  4. Yoshida, Emily (June 12, 2015). "Hudson Mohawke talks about taking a break from the club on his new album Lantern". The Verge. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  5. Bowe, Miles (July 22, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke – "Chimes"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  6. Parkinson, Hannah Jane (September 26, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke's Chimes, this week's best new track". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  7. "Chimes (Rmx) [feat. Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott, French Montana] - Single". iTunes Store United States. 21 November 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  8. Goble, Corban (November 25, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke's "Chimes RMX" Featuring Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott, and French Montana Gets Interactive Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  9. "Hudson Mohawke – Chimes" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  10. "Hudson Mohawke – Chimes" (in French). Les classement single.
  11. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  12. "Archive Chart: 2014-11-29". UK Indie Breakers Chart. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  13. Billboard https://web.archive.org/web/20150723025427/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1521865/hudson-mohawke/chart?f=1099. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2014. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. Fact staff(s) (July 22, 2014). "Stream Hudson Mohawke's new single, 'Chimes'". Fact. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  15. Cox, Jamieson (September 30, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke — Chimes EP review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  16. Sheffield, Hazel (September 28, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke —- Chimes EP review". NME. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  17. Ramirez, AJ (September 29, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke — Chimes EP review". PopMatters. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  18. Hudson Mohawke (2014). Chimes (booklet). Warp. WAP370.
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