7G (album) explained

7G
Type:studio
Artist:A. G. Cook
Cover:A. G. Cook - 7G.jpg
Length:159:21
Label:PC Music
Producer:A. G. Cook
Prev Title:Nu Jack Swung
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Apple
Next Year:2020

7G is the debut studio album by English music producer, singer and PC Music label head A. G. Cook.[1] [2] [3] It was released through PC Music on 12 August 2020.[4]

The album is 49 tracks long and split into seven discs, each disc being instrument-specific.[5] 7G was not supported by any singles, but a seven-minute long mix previewing one song from each disc for approximately one minute each. In addition to new material, it includes covers of songs by Taylor Swift, Blur, Charli XCX, the Strokes, the Smashing Pumpkins, and more.

Primarily an experimental electronic, pop, and hyperpop album, 7G features elements of many genres including trance, techno, country, metal, grunge rock, punk, IDM, 2-step, drill 'n' bass, and progressive electronic.[6]

Cook released his second studio album Apple on 18 September 2020, only five weeks later. Apple vs. 7G, a remix album consisting of songs from both Apple and 7G, was released on 28 May 2021.

Background and recording

Cook first began teasing 7Gs release in September 2018 via Instagram.[7] In March 2020, Cook took to Instagram again to give an update on his record.[8]

In May 2020, Cook performed as part of American songwriter and producer Porter Robinson's virtual musical festival Secret Sky, where he debuted new material.

Of the background and recording of 7G, and its successor, Apple, Cook spoke with The Recording Academy in September 2020, stating:[9]

Release and promotion

Cook announced the 7-disc record on 31 July 2020, along with its cover art, designed by Supermodel, release date, and track list that featured 49 tracks. Instead of a lead single, Cook released a seven-minute mix, previewing one-minute snippets of "Acid Angel", "Gold Leaf", "Illuminated Biker Gang", "Anything Could Happen", "Behind Glass", "Hold On" and "Show Me What".

A digital preorder on Bandcamp was also made available, where upon purchase buyers were gifted with a Deluxe Box Set, including "a definitive source of 7G information & artwork, a labyrinth of images, text, sound & MIDI and a 30-minute audio file", as well as the aforementioned seven-minute mix.

On 6 August, a 7G live event, titled 7 by 7, was hosted on Zoom.[10] The live event featured sets from GRRL, Thy Slaughter (Cook and easyFun), Cook, No Rome, Baseck, Hayden Dunham & Alex Somers and Cecile Believe & Caroline Polachek. The event was later uploaded to PC Music's official YouTube channel.[11]

On 11 August, a 7G listening was broadcast on Zoom, followed by an afterparty live event, featuring sets from Balming Tiger, Charli XCX, DJ Warlord, Hannah Diamond, Flume, Namasenda and SOPHIE.[12]

On 7Gs release day, Cook released a visual for the final track on the album, "Alright", directed by Aaron Chan.[13]

On 26 August, Cook released the video to the final track on disc 1, "Silver", directed by Cook himself and Aaron Chan.[14]

On 14 September, Cook released the video to the "Live at Appleville" version of the first track on the final disc, "Today", directed by Rick Farin & Claire Cochran. The video was premiered at the virtual live event Cook hosted via Twitch, Appleville, the day prior.

A physical CD boxset was announced for release in October 2021.

Track listing

All tracks written and produced by A. G. Cook, except where noted.

Notes

Personnel

Credits are adapted from an image found within the deluxe box set purchase.

Musicians

Technical

All tracks mixed and mastered by A. G. Cook, except "Alright", mixed and mastered by Geoff Swan.

Remix album

See main article: Apple vs. 7G.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-08-06. A.G. Cook announces new, 49-track album '7G'. 31 July 2020. NME.
  2. Web site: Evan. Minsker. 2020-08-06. A. G. Cook Announces New 49-Song Album 7G. Pitchfork.
  3. Web site: 2020-08-06. A. G. Cook announces 49-track album '7G'. Mixmag.
  4. Web site: 2020-08-06. You Wanted an A. G. Cook Album? Here's Seven. 30 July 2020. Paper.
  5. Web site: Subscribe. 2020-08-06. A.G. Cook announces new album '7G'. diymag.com.
  6. Web site: A. G. Cook - Apple. Franklyn. Sidney. Clash. 18 September 2020. 18 September 2020.
  7. Web site: A. G. Cook on Instagram: "Spent a bunch of time in Montana this summer, ended up recording a lot of my A. G. album there ⛰ Still a while before I'll share those…". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/agcook404/1864719002771394798_1864686720419703716 . 26 December 2021 . registration. 2020-08-06. Instagram.
  8. Web site: A. G. Cook on Instagram: "Hope everyone's doing alright ♀️ Been planning to release a lot of music this summer, collecting the last few years of A. G. material...". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/agcook404/2266345157775200464 . 26 December 2021 . registration. 2020-08-06. Instagram.
  9. Web site: 2020-09-06. A.G. Cook & The Art Of A Perfect Pop Song. 2020-09-12. GRAMMY.com. en.
  10. 7 by 7 Live on Zoom this Thursday 2PM LA / 5PM NY / 10PM UK Code TBA A. G. Zoom . pcmus. 1290383615063359489. 2020-08-12. 2020-08-04.
  11. Web site: 7 by 7 - YouTube. 2020-08-12. YouTube.
  12. pcmus. 1292527667904831488. 7G Listening Party & Afterparty this Tuesday 1PM LA / 4PM NY / 9PM UK and 4PM LA / 7PM NY / 12AM UK Code TBA A. G. Zoom. 2020-08-12. 2020-08-10.
  13. Web site: A. G. Cook - Alright - YouTube. 2020-08-12. YouTube.
  14. Web site: A. G. Cook - Silver (Official Video) - YouTube. 2020-08-26. www.youtube.com.