I Am Legion (album) explained

I Am Legion
Type:studio
Artist:Noisia x Foreign Beggars
Cover:I Am Legion.jpg
Border:yes
Released:[1]
(Instrumentals) [2]
Recorded:2008–13
Length:45:38
Label:Division, Owsla, Par Excellence
Producer:Nik Roos, Martijn van Sonderen, Thijs de Vlieger
Chronology:Noisia
Prev Title:Split the Atom
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Outer Edges
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I Am Legion is the self-titled collaborative album by I Am Legion, the side project of Dutch record producers Noisia and British rappers Metropolis and Orifice Vulgatron of Foreign Beggars. The album was released on 2 September 2013 through Division, Owsla and Par Excellence.[3] The album topped the Beatport releases chart within three days of release.[4] The instrumental version of the album, solely produced by Noisia, was released on 29 November 2013.[2] A ten-track remix album featuring Noisia (as Nightwatch), dBridge, Alix Perez and Phace among others was released on 17 June 2014.[5]

Musical concept and songs

The group had the following to say about the album's style and influence:

“We (Noisia & Foreign Beggars) come from two different places and there is a mutual curiosity and admiration that makes us want to make the coolest shit we can. The style and approach to this album has given the lyrics more breathing space and room for exploration, hence it resulting in something more of a rap album with an electronic edge, as opposed to ‘Dance Music’ with raps on it.”
Speaking about the album's second single "Choosing For You", Metropolis told Rolling Stone “We kinda pieced together ideas from two beats Noisia had made to put this one together, I think it's the only track with a Noisia voice on it... The track is about letting the music possess you, as good music should when you hear it.”

Marketing

Singles

Reception

The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Clash said the following about the album:

Banking on the success of 2009’s enormous track ‘Contact’ and other atom splits means a protracted patent of rap and rucking risks running thin. The Beggars’ Orifice Vulgatron and Metropolis, MCs both, purge that possibility, staying as seven-figure showmen you hope never take responsibility, as ‘Foil’ appears dangerously close to doing. Meanwhile Noisia’s teeth-drilling TKOs, flubbery aftershocks and deathly whispers vaporising lugholes, only disappoint the Richter scale when not fully engaged or needlessly cutting short.

Personnel

I Am Legion
Additional musicians

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
UK Indie Breakers (OCC)[12] 15
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[13] 31

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
Worldwide2 September 2013Digital download, CD, vinylDivision / Owsla / Par Excellence
Japan4 September 2013

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iTunes - Music - I Am Legion by I Am Legion. iTunes. 2013-09-02.
  2. Web site: Amazon.com: I Am Legion (Instrumentals): I Am Legion: MP3 Downloads. Amazon. 2013-11-29.
  3. Web site: I Am Legion (OWSLA) :: Beatport. Beatport. 2013-09-02.
  4. Web site: Noisia. Facebook. 2013-09-05.
  5. Web site: I Am Legion Remixes by I Am Legion. iTunes Store. 2014-06-17.
  6. Web site: iTunes - Music - Make Those Move - Single by I Am Legion. iTunes. 2013-07-15.
  7. Web site: Make Those Move by I Am Legion on MP3 and WAV at Juno Download. Juno Download. 2013-09-05.
  8. Web site: iTunes - Music - Choosing For You - Single by I Am Legion. iTunes. 2013-08-19.
  9. Web site: I Am Legion Bounce to a Dark Beat in 'Choosing for You' - Premiere - Video. Rolling Stone. 2013-08-16.
  10. Web site: I Am Legion (Noisia x Foreign Beggars) - Choosing For You (Official Video). YouTube. 2013-08-19.
  11. Web site: I Am Legion- Choosing for You Remixes, by Par Excellence.
  12. Web site: 2013 Top 40 Independent Albums Breakers Archive. Official Charts Company. 2013-09-14.
  13. Web site: 2013 Top 40 R&B Albums Archive. Official Charts Company. 14 September 2013.