Nike+ Original Run: Aesop Rock’s All Day
by Daniel Finn
I've decided I'm going to start running, which is probably the last thing anyone expected from me.
I’ve already worked my way through LCD Soundsystem’s 45:33 and The Crystal Method’s Drive, so I’m moving onto another Nike+ Original Run release.
This time it’s Aesop Rock with All Day.
Aesop Rock came out of the New York underground hip-hop scene during the 1990s and became known for dense, abstract lyrics and unconventional production. His music is usually a lot more left-field than what you would expect from something made specifically for running.
All Day was released as a continuous Nike+ Original Run mix, bringing together Aesop Rock’s production with a sequence designed to keep moving for the duration of a workout.
What I like about this one is how strange the idea is. You have one of the more abstract voices in underground hip-hop making music for people to go running to. The production has enough rhythm to keep things moving, but there is also a lot going on lyrically and sonically.
I’m interested to see whether having something this busy in my headphones makes running easier or harder.
So, another 45-ish minutes, another completely different style of music, and another attempt at convincing myself I’m becoming a runner.