Figueroa - The World As We Know It (July 30, 2020)

The World As We Know It is an electronic album made in the absence of instruments. At the same time, it is a guitar/vocal album and entirely human. And so we have something of an anomaly.

Amon first recorded these songs during an isolated period in the woods of northern California. It was an exploratory process, much to do with learning about harmony and (relatively) traditional songwriting. A personal exorcism of sorts, he externalised an array of experiences and organised them into his own words.

At the time of writing what was to become Figueroa, Tobin had no particular ambitions for the work. Describing his singing voice as “a vague idea of what a voice might sound like,” the tracks remained personal as they sat in state for almost a decade after they were first scratched out in a cabin in the woods.

Eventually Amon sent the material to the legendary producer Sylvia Massy (Tool, Prince, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Johnny Cash, Annie Mac) hoping she might find someone who could perform the material. Sylvia was thrilled by the songs she heard. Rather than delegate them to polished musicians, she got on the next plane to LA and booked a session at the famous Capital Studios at Capitol Records in Hollywood for Amon to record the songs properly under her guidance. The result is The World As We Know It.

Is Figueroa psych-rock? Electronic folk? How is there guitar with no guitarist? We have no idea. It’s surprising and confounding. Sometimes it’s better not to ask questions and just listen to the music.

Not been a big fan of his recent productions, but this seems promising.

I heard this last night. I've honestly enjoyed Amon's past material since his return in 2019. This has some nice production on it

I dug this, along with the Angry Manchild Tyrant or whatever his last one was called as well, both quite inventive for guitary stuff

This album is excellent, dare I say my aoty so far. Tracks like Better Run and Back to the Starts are out of this world incredible, fantastic drum programming, awesome vocal processing, stunning lyrics and the best "not guitar" I have ever heard.