#penpushers

Back in the early 2000s, a band from Edinburgh burst onto the collective consciousness of hip-hop with a thrilling, imaginative, visceral and fantastical new approach to rap. They were the Penpushers, and with their densely literate, evocative lyrics, taking in everything from philosophy to science fiction and classical literature, and forward-thinking, complex production style, they redefined what hip-hop could mean for a generation of rappers, poets and producers.

The Penpushers went on to release two albums and three EPs, constantly pushing at the boundaries of what was considered 'the real' in hip-hop. That generation of rappers, poets and producers went on to form Black Lantern Music. Now, the cycle completes, as members of the former Penpushers roster join Black Lantern to announce their new incarnation: Immaculate Emotion Engines.

Evolved in parallel with the Anticon movement, Penpushers' take on hip-hop was deeply experimental, but also melodic and inventive, often infused with haunting, sing-song vocals and psychedelic samples. As such, it was embraced not just by hip-hop fans (in fact, Penpushers often attempted to distance themselves from hip-hop in interviews), but by fans of indie, pop music and avant-garde electronica as well.

Immaculate Emotion Engines continue this tradition on The Truth Loves To Dance Naked, alternating between lightning-fast, heavily-spat rhymes and playful, infectious pop hooks. Lyrically, the depth of questing intelligence on show proves that Edgar Allen Woe, aka God Particle, formerly known as Longface, has lost none of his humour or intelligence. The beats meanwhile showcase Walter Ego, aka Ice Giant, formerly known as Kimo, on fine form, with a storehouse of sampled instrumentation, snatches of film dialogue and expansive, space-age beats.

Immaculate Emotion Engines are here to redefine avant-garde hip-hop for the twenty-first century, just as Penpushers did before them. They are the pure, uncut, (sur)real. The band issued the following statement:

“We are Immaculate Emotion Engines. Formally known as Lost Love Launch. Previously has beens…THE PENPUSHERS! If you’re gonna send someone to save the world make sure they like it the way it is…

Beyond the valley of the dolls, the faint rumble in the distance, are the purring engines of your extinction.

We are the multi-dimensional men of anger, hypomyth, hard light holographic band members with built-in sigmont fraudulent moodswing modulators… We are gallivanting spacemen making music with solar powered calculators… All aboard hail bop and lets save hip-hop no matter how much you hate it.”

When metal meets flesh and there’s nothing left

Mechanical love will withstand all wars

Let’s face it the universe is what you make it…

The Craft must have clothes but

The Truth always Loves To Dance Naked!!!

DOWNLOAD 'THE TRUTH LOVES TO DANCE NAKED' BY IMMACULATE EMOTION ENGINES NOW

!!STOP PRESS!!

Black Lantern are hosting an exclusive 'first listen' party for the new albums by MILD MAYNYRD and IMMACULATE EMOTION ENGINES. We're hosting it on Mon Aug 20 at 8pm, on Plug.DJ, a new site which allows you to DJ with your friends online and earn points. You can sign in if you have a Facebook account or a Yahoo account. I hope you'll join us!

ABOUT THE ARTISTS...

Mild Maynyrd is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from St. Paul, MN, and a member of the Black Lantern Music label. He makes Electronic/Hip-Hop music that borrows from a variety of other genres.

MM has released two EPs (Nordic Rust and Broadcast AM) and two full-length albums (Dead Herring and The Parallel), along with a series of Notorious B.I.G. remixes (MMvsBIG, Volumes I and II) and a mashup project combining The Flaming Lips and Felt. He has also made several DJ mixes and remixed a variety of artists from Black Lantern’s own Texture to Aesop Rock.

MM’s new album – Hills Run Red – is a surreal trip through the American West taking the concept of a coherent narrative used on The Parallel to new places. It is to be released via Black Lantern Music, August 21st, 2012. 

MILD MAYNYRD BANDCAMP

Immaculate Emotion Engines are Edgar Allen Woe aka God Particle - Veteran Vocalist, and Walter Ego aka Ice Giant – Veteran Producer/DJ. The band were formerly known as Lost Love Launch, and were founder members of legendary Edinburgh alt.hip-hop band PENPUSHERS