Gesaffelstein Explained

Gesaffelstein
Birth Name:Mike Lévy
Birth Date:24 June 1985
Birth Place:Lyon, France
Years Active:2008–present

Mike Lévy (pronounced as /fr/; born 24 June 1985),[1] known professionally as Gesaffelstein (pronounced as /de/), is a French music programmer, DJ, songwriter and record producer from Lyon. He has worked alongside artists such as the Weeknd, Daft Punk, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Electric Youth, Haim, Miss Kittin, The Hacker, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lil Nas X, Charli XCX, and Pharrell Williams.

Name

Gesaffelstein is a portmanteau of Gesamtkunstwerk ("total artwork" in German, also the title of an album by the American electro group Dopplereffekt) and Albert Einstein.[2] [3]

Career

Mike Lévy was born in Lyon, France, into a Jewish family, in June 1985. He started producing music at the age of sixteen when he first played an analog synthesizer.[4] He released his first EP in 2008 through the label OD Records. In 2009, he founded the independent label Zone with The Hacker, Alex Reynaud and David Rimokh.[5]

In July 2012, Gesaffelstein made the cover of DJ Mag with Brodinski.[6] The same year, his track "Viol" was used by Citroën and Givenchy advertisements.[7] He co-produced two tracks on Yeezus, the sixth album by American rapper Kanye West, including the lead single "Black Skinhead" and "Send It Up", both tracks produced with West, Daft Punk, Brodinski and Mike Dean.[8] On 28 October 2013, Gesaffelstein released his debut album Aleph under Parlophone Records and OWSLA (in North America only), which had been recorded since 2011.[9] His remix of "Shockwave" by The Hacker is featured in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V, on the Soulwax FM radio station.

In 2015, Gesaffelstein released the single "Conquistador" in collaboration with Jean-Michel Jarre, which is present on the album . He also produced the soundtrack for the French-Belgian 2015 film Maryland, directed by Alice Winocour. In early 2018, he produced the tracks "I Was Never There" and "Hurt You" from the Weeknd's My Dear Melancholy, EP.[10]

Gesaffelstein signed to Columbia Records in November 2018, with whom he released the lead single "Reset" from his second studio album Hyperion in the same month.[11] In January 2019, he released a collaboration with the Weeknd titled "Lost in the Fire" as the second single from Hyperion,[12] and later in March 2019 released another collaboration with Pharrell Williams titled "Blast Off".[13] Hyperion was released on 8 March 2019, to mixed reviews.[14] [15] On 3 October 2019, Gesaffelstein announced his surprise EP Novo Sonic System, consisting of 6 tracks, which was released the following day.[16]

For Apple's October 2021 event, his track "Orck" was used as the pre-intro and outro theme music.

Gesaffelstein announced a collaboration with fellow Kanye West collaborator KayCyy. TW20 50, an EP containing 3 collaborative songs between the two of them, released on 11 March 2022.[17] [18]

On 6 March 2023, Skrillex confirmed that Lévy's third album had been finished.[19]

KayCyy and Lévy's second collaborative EP, TW2052, was released on 26 May 2023.[20]

On 9 February 2024, Lévy's third album, Gamma, was announced, with a release date of 29 March 2024 revealed six days later.[21]

Musical style

Mixmag describes Gesaffelstein's style as being a "dark and threatening techno, though enchanting";[22] The Inrocks see it as "black, ultra-violent music, [which] revives the techno fundamentals, the intransigence of Underground Resistance, the mental and obsessive structures of Drexciya, the contemporary power and more".[4] Megan Buerger from the Washington Post describes his style as a mixture of dark and underground music, and notes that a specialty of the artist is his use of silences to create a "tension" before a "raucous explosion of bass and percussion".[23]

Rolling Stone magazine sees his music as being "a little more aggressive and punk-rock than normal".[24]

Influences

Gesaffelstein cites Dopplereffekt, Kraftwerk, and new wave formations from the 80s such as D.A.F. or Nitzer Ebb all as references. He has also said Joy Division and The Hacker influenced his work.[3]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsChart positions
FRA
[25]
BEL
(Fl)

[26]
BEL
(Wa)

[27]
SWI
[28]
US
Dance

[29]
US
Heat.

[30]
Aleph 307766951650
Hyperion
  • Released: 8 March 2019
  • Label: Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital download
9210
Gamma
  • Released: 29 March 2024
  • Label: Columbia
  • Formats: LP, digital download

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Vengeance Factory
  • Released: 22 February 2008
  • Label: OD
Modern Walk
  • Released: 25 June 2009
  • Label: OD
The Operator[31]
  • Released: 30 November 2009
  • Label: ZONE
Variations[32]
  • Released: 5 November 2010
  • Label: Turbo Recordings
Conspiracy Pt. 1[33]
  • Released: 25 April 2011
  • Label: Turbo Recordings
Conspiracy Pt. 2[34]
  • Released: 18 July 2011
  • Label: Turbo Recordings
Crainte / Errance[35]
(with The Hacker)
  • Released: 9 May 2011
  • Label: ZONE
Bromance #4: Rise of Depravity[36]
  • Released: 9 July 2012
  • Label: Bromance
Novo Sonic System[37]
  • Released: 4 October 2019
  • Label: Columbia

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearChart positionsCertificationsAlbum
FRA
AUS
[39]
BEL
(Fl)

CAN
[40]
DEN
[41]
GER
[42]
NLD
[43]
SWE
[44]
UK
[45]
US
[46]
"Pursuit"[47] 201396 Aleph
"Hate or Glory"[48]
"Conquistador"[49]
(with Jean-Michel Jarre)
2015
"Reset"[50] 2018Hyperion
"Lost in the Fire"
(with the Weeknd)
201978 24 43 14 17 49 60 9 9 27
"Blast Off"[55]
(with Pharrell Williams)
"Hard Dreams"
[56]
2024Gamma

As featured artist

TitleYearChart positionsCertificationsAlbum
FRA
AUS
CAN
DEN
GER
NLD
SWE
US
"In Distress"
(A$AP Rocky featuring Gesaffelstein)
2014
"I Was Never There"
(The Weeknd featuring Gesaffelstein)
2018112 40 12 37 91 67 40 35
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum[57]
  • BPI: Gold
  • MC: Gold
My Dear Melancholy
"Hurt You"
(The Weeknd featuring Gesaffelstein)
103 37 17 32 85 63 33 43
  • ARIA: 2 Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
  • MC: Gold[58]

Other charted songs

Title! rowspan="2"
YearChart positionsAlbum
FRA
US
Dance

[59]
"Aleph"2013200Aleph
"So Bad"
(featuring Haim)
201950Hyperion

Other appearances

TitleYearAlbum
"Control Movement"[60] 2011Bromance #1
"Calling from the Stars"
2013Calling from the Stars
"Icia"[61] 2021Interzone

Songwriting, production and technical credits

TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumOccupation(s)
"Black Skinhead"2013Kanye WestYeezusAdditional producer
"Send It Up"Composer, co-producer
"The New International Sound"[62] 2014GENER8IONHomieland, Vol. 1Mixer
"Euphoria"[63]
(featuring Remy Banks)
2016Boys NoizeMaydayComposer, writer
"Fior di Latte"2017PhoenixTi AmoAssistance
"Jesus Lord"2021Kanye WestDondaComposer, producer
"No Child Left Behind"
"Jesus Lord pt 2"
"OKAY"[64] 2022KayCyyTW20 50
"THE SUN"
"LOVE & HATE"
"To All The People"[65] 2023JainThe FoolProducer
"ROLL THE DICE"[66] KayCyyTW20 52Composer, producer
"ASHLEY'S HEARTBEAT"
"TIMELESS"
"NO COLD"
"J Christ"[67] 2024Lil Nas X
"I Might Say Something Stupid"Charli XCXBrat
"B2b"
"What's the Cure?"[68] YodeliceWhat's the Cure?Composer

Remixes

TrackYearArtist(s)Title
"So Glad"2009I Am the CosmosGesaffelstein Remix
"Lump"F+S
"Les Enfants"2010Cassius
"Body of Eyes"Sei AGesaffelstein Violation Remix
"Heliochrome"Chateau MarmontGesaffelstein Remix
"New Disco Beat"David Carretta
"What's the Point"Ali Renault
"All You Need"2011Miss Kittin
"ZZafrika"ZZT
"The Day"Moby
"All You Need Is Techno"Arnaud Rebotini
"Speechless"
(featuring Carl Craig & La Scalars)
Agoria
"Big Bad Wolf"Duck Sauce
"Hilinner"Crackboy
"Blue Jeans"2012Lana Del Rey
"Lemonade"Boys Noize & Erol Alkan
"Shockwave"The Hacker
"Cover Your Eyes"
(featuring Wave Machines)
The Shoes
"Rocket Number 9"Zombie Zombie
"The Black Brad Pitt"
(featuring Danny Brown)
Evil Nine
"Aftermaths"VCMG
"Helix"2013JusticeGesaffelstein Vision Remix
"Jacques in the Box"Laurent GarnierBrodinski & Gesaffelstein Dirty Sprite Remix
"Goodbye"Depeche ModeGesaffelstein Remix
"Bankrupt!"2014Phoenix
"Hate or Glory"Gesaffelstein
"A Palé"[69] 2020Rosalía

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gesaffelstein . June 24, 2015 . Happy birthday Gesaffelstein . ZONE . live . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/gOfK7 . 2022-06-11 . 2022-06-07 . . en.
  2. News: Gesaffelstein Produces For Kanye, Embarks On Live Tour And Keeps A Few Secrets. Makarechi. Kia. 5 December 2013. 12 December 2013. Huffington Post.
  3. Web site: Main Square Festival 2014 : Gesaffelstein, qui es-tu ?. 10 August 2020. France 3. 26 May 2014 .
  4. Web site: Gesaffelstein, nouveau prince de la techno française. Géraldine Sarratia. Les Inrocks. .
  5. Web site: Zone : le noir label de The Hacker et Gesaffelstein fête ses 10 ans - Tsugi. 26 March 2019. Tsugi.
  6. Web site: French new wave! Brodinski & Gesaffelstein bring the Bromance to SW4. DJ Mag. July 2012. .
  7. Web site: Musique de la pub Citroën DS4 – Just Mat. reclame.fr. .
  8. News: Gesaffelstein, a.k.a. Mike Levy, at Webster Hall . The New York Times . Jon . Caramanica . 5 December 2013.
  9. Web site: Gesaffelstein's Debut Album 'Aleph' - Out Now!. EDM Sauce. 17 January 2019.
  10. News: Meadow. Matthew. BREAKING: The Weeknd Calls On Skrillex, Daft Punk, Gesaffelstein & More For New EP [MUST LISTEN]]. 29 March 2018. Your EDM. 17 January 2019.
  11. https://pitchfork.com/news/gesaffelstein-returns-signs-to-columbia/ Gesaffelstein Returns, Signs to Columbia
  12. Web site: The Weeknd's Got Everyone Excited Teasing New Music 'Lost In The Fire'. Capital. 7 January 2019 . 17 January 2019.
  13. Gesaffelstein & Pharrell Williams Go Pop In The Shadows On 'Blast Off': Watch. Billboard. 9 March 2019.
  14. Gesaffelstein's 'Hyperion' Is a Moody Mix Of Pop, Goth & Cinematic Scores: Listen. Billboard. 9 March 2019.
  15. Web site: Gesaffelstein – Hyperion. Pitchfork. Larry Fitzmaurice. 12 March 2019. 12 March 2019.
  16. Web site: Gesaffelstein surprises fans with new EP, 'NOVO SONIC SYSTEM'. 3 October 2019. Dancing Astronaut.
  17. Web site: Redaktion. FAZE. 6 February 2022. The Return of Gesaffelstein. 8 February 2022. FAZEmag. de-DE.
  18. Web site: KayCyy Drops New EP 'TW20 50' and Shares Video for "The Sun" . 17 March 2022 . Complex . en.
  19. News: New Gesaffelstein Album Confirmed By... Skrillex? - EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists . en . EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists . 2023-10-09.
  20. Web site: 2023-05-26 . KayCyy, Gaseffelstein ascend as one on otherworldly 'TW2052' . 2023-10-09 . Our Generation Music . en-US.
  21. Web site: Gesaffelstein announces third studio album, Gamma . 2024-03-05 . Mixmag.
  22. Web site: Brodinski: the family guy. Bridget Mills-Powell. Mixmag. 9 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20121002141028/http://www.mixmag.net/words/features/brodinski-the-family-guy. 2 October 2012. dead. .
  23. News: Gesaffelstein album review: 'Rise of Depravity'. https://archive.today/20130630142939/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-events/gesaffelstein,1238198/critic-review.html. dead. 30 June 2013. Buerger. Megan. The Washington Post. WW.6. en. 31 August 2012. .
  24. Web site: Who Should Be Big. Skrillex. 24. en. 31 May 2012. .
  25. Web site: lescharts.com - Discographie Gesaffelstein. lescharts.com.
  26. Web site: Discografie Gesaffelstein. Ultratop. 19 March 2019.
  27. Web site: Discographie Gesaffelstein. Ultratop. 19 March 2019.
  28. Web site: Discographie Gesaffelstein. hitparade.ch. 19 March 2019.
  29. Gesaffelstein Chart History: Dance/Electronic Albums. Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  30. Gesaffelstein Chart History: Heatseekers Albums. Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  31. Web site: Zone 1: The Operator - Single by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 12 April 2020.
  32. Web site: Turbo 093 - Variations par Gesaffelstein sur Apple Music . . 12 April 2020.
  33. Web site: Turbo 099 - Conspiracy Pt.1 - Single par Gesaffelstein sur Apple Music . . 12 April 2020.
  34. Web site: Conspiracy, Pt. 2 - Single by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 18 July 2011 . 26 March 2019.
  35. Web site: Zone 4: Crainte / Errance - Single by Gesaffelstein & The Hacker on Apple Music . . 12 April 2020.
  36. Web site: Bromance #4: Rise of Depravity - Single by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 9 July 2012 . 26 March 2019.
  37. Web site: Novo Sonic System - EP by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 4 December 2019.
  38. Web site: Maryland (Disorder) [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Album by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music ]. . 11 September 2015 . 26 March 2019.
  39. Web site: Discography Gesaffelstein. australian-charts.com. 19 March 2019.
  40. Gesaffelstein Chart History: Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  41. Web site: Discography Gesaffelstein. danishcharts.dk. 19 March 2019.
  42. Web site: Diskografie Gesaffelstein. offiziellecharts.de. 19 March 2019.
  43. Web site: Discografie Gesaffelstein. dutchcharts.nl. 19 March 2019.
  44. Web site: Discography Gesaffelstein. swedishcharts.com. 19 March 2019.
  45. Web site: Gesaffelstein ft Weeknd full Official Chart history. Official Charts Company. 19 March 2019.
  46. Gesaffelstein Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  47. Web site: Pursuit - Single by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 16 June 2013 . 1 March 2019.
  48. Web site: Hate or Glory (Radio Edit) - Single par Gesaffelstein sur Apple Music . . 4 June 2019.
  49. Web site: Gesaffelstein & Jean-Michel Jarre Collaborate For 'Conquistador'. Harder Blogger Faster. 20 April 2015. 21 April 2015.
  50. Web site: Reset - Single by Gesaffelstein on Apple Music . . 18 February 2019.
  51. Web site: ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles. Australian Recording Industry Association. 9 November 2019.
  52. United Kingdom. Gesaffelstein. 7 October 2023.
  53. Web site: Gold/Platinum - Gesaffelstein. Music Canada. 13 June 2019.
  54. Web site: Gold/Platinum: Gesaffelstein - RIAA. Recording Industry Association of America. 13 June 2019.
  55. Web site: Blast Off - Single by Gesaffelstein & Pharrell Williams on Apple Music . . 1 March 2019.
  56. Web site: 2024-03-02 . Gesaffelstein, Yan Wagner Are Desperate to Grasp Love in 'Hard Dreams' . 2024-03-05 . . en-US.
  57. Australia. 2024. single. 28 June 2024.
  58. Web site: Gold/Platinum. 22 November 2021. Music Canada. en-US.
  59. Gesaffelstein Chart History: Dance/Electronic Songs. Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  60. Web site: Bromance #1 - Single - Single by Gesaffelstein & Brodinski on Apple Music . . 12 April 2020.
  61. Web site: Interzone by Various Artists on Apple Music. Apple Music. 4 June 2021.
  62. Web site: Album Bromance Presents Homieland vol.1, Various Artists - Qobuz: download and streaming in high quality. Qobuz. 2 August 2020.
  63. Web site: Album Mayday, Boys Noize - Qobuz: download and streaming in high quality. Qobuz. 1 October 2020.
  64. Web site: Callas . Brad . 12 March 2022 . KayCyy drops new EP TW20 50 and shares video for 'The Sun' . 4 May 2022 . Complex.
  65. Web site: Cafe . The Sound . 2023-04-29 . French International Pop Sensation Jain Releases Highly Anticipated New Album 'The Fool' . 2023-05-03 . The Sound Cafe . en.
  66. Web site: 2023-05-26 . KayCyy Links Up With Gesaffelstein For "TW2052" Project . 2023-10-09 . www.hotnewhiphop.com . en.
  67. Web site: Heffler . Jason . 2024-01-10 . Gesaffelstein Confirmed as Producer of Lil Nas X's New Single, "J Christ" . 2024-01-11 . EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists . en.
  68. Web site: Yodelice (Nouvel album) - What's The Cure? : chansons et paroles. Deezer. 2024-07-12.
  69. Web site: A Palé (Gesaffelstein Remix) - Single by Gesaffelstein & ROSALÍA on Apple Music . . 6 January 2020.