The Lingering Influence of Austin Peralta in Thundercat's 'Apocalypse'

How Stephen Bruner evades the virtuoso stereotype and creates emotionally engaging music.

In certain subterranean musical circles, the notion of the instrumental virtuoso has begun to fade, often due to the presumption that such high-level technical proficiency may come at the cost of emotional engagement in the music. However, Stephen Bruner, a distinguished bass player, has successfully navigated this challenge by maintaining a versatile skill set adaptable to different musical settings, participating in the grounded yet creative Brainfeeder community, and releasing solo works as Thundercat that elicit a sense of restless delight through his virtuosic bass playing.

What has genuinely set Thundercat apart in recent years, and what provides his 2013 album, Apocalypse, co-produced with Flying Lotus, with its distinctive energy, is the evident absence of pretension in his music. No obscure barrier exists between his vision as a dedicated artist and an audience that may need to be better versed in nuanced musicality.

He focuses on presenting basic ideas, feelings, and experiences unexpectedly yet captivatingly. Contrary to the prevalent trend of music becoming more complex through technology, experimentation, and crossover, Thundercat, at his finest, has simplified these elements, taking prog and fusion as a starting point to be refined, not a pinnacle to be aspired to.

The album Apocalypse immediately pulls listeners in. The opening track, “Tenfold,” bursts into life with astral-jazz keyboards reminiscent of a Lonnie Liston Smith interlude seen through the lens of the TONTO synthesizer. The underlying heartbeat of the song is a relentless, chord-blurring hardcore rumble that provides the counterbalance to Bruner’s wavering falsetto, succinctly expressing sonic prayers in brief phrases. This sets the tone for an album that prioritizes its catchiest elements while subtly integrating virtuosic elements. The result is a unique, captivating mix of direct simplicity and boundless musical eccentricity.

This approach doesn’t take away from Thundercat’s unique energy but instead shapes it through familiar forms of indie R&B, electronified soul-folk, and deep, old-school boogie funk. The moments of intense rhythmic drive remain prominent; the shivering rollercoaster arpeggios and relentless forward push of tracks like “The Life Aquatic” and “Seven” evoke the sensation of a tech-savvy innovator attempting to digitally adapt the Minutemen's nervous energy for a Detroit dance floor. The various distinct components amalgamate to form an effortless coherent pattern to comprehend and engage with.

The pivotal element here is Thundercat’s voice, which has gained more prominence and flexibility. It plays a significant role in shaping each song as the music supports it. Despite a somewhat limited melodic range, Thundercat compensates with a wide range of expressive styles. His voice guides the instrumentation in every track rather than serving as a mere complement or distraction. The songs’ themes are unequivocal, channeling rich, multifaceted music through a human voice.

“Special Stage” illustrates this well with its upbeat, arcade-like sound. Its lyrics are straightforward, but the point is precisely the contrast between simple words and complex music. Subtle hints of humor and spontaneity, such as his ad-libbed lines in “Oh Sheit it's X” and “Lotus and the Jondy,” make Thundercat relatable amid a bustling soundscape.

Much of Apocalypse’s musical direction results from Thundercat’s collaborative work with Flying Lotus. However, the album’s emotional heart is deeply influenced by the late Austin Peralta, a Brainfeeder musician and keyboardist/pianist who contributed significantly to Thundercat’s previous album, The Golden Age of Apocalypse. Direct references to his untimely passing, most notably in the closing suite “A Message for Austin/Praise the Lord/Enter the Void,” suggest that Peralta's influence and memory permeate the album.

Apocalypse is about introspection, self-discovery, and acknowledging those who matter. This album illustrates how virtuosity can be conveyed in a manner that evokes a direct emotional response.