Chimes (song)

"Chimes"
The remix version cover.
Single by Hudson Mohawke
from the album Chimes
Released	July 22, 2014
Format	Digital download, 12" vinyl
Recorded	2012-14[1]
Genre	Trap, electronica
Length	3:33 (album version) 3:12 (remix version)
Label	Warp

"Chimes" is a song by Scottish artist and producer Hudson Mohawke. The song gained attention after its appearance on the MacBook Air TV ad, as well as after Mohawke's success through the likes of Kanye West and with the TNGHT project. On November 21, an official remix of the song, featuring rappers Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott and French Montana, was released as a single. The track was featured on a television advertisement called "Stickers" for the Apple MacBook Air.^[2]

Background

The track was originally believed to be a collaboration with Canadian producer Lunice.

TNGHT first premiered the unfinished version of the track during BBC Radio 1Xtra's Diplo & Friends in late 2012, a time which he said was before the EDM-trap trend. "That sound wasn't as prevalent then, and I just sort of made it... it wasn't really meant to be anything," he stated.^[3]

After the duo broke up in late 2013.^[4]

Composition

In contrast to its title, according to The Guardian, "there isn’t much that’s peaceful about [the song]."^[5] Starting off with a fairly amiable skittering drum pattern, it’s not long before the doom-laden horn synth kicks in, plus there’s a wolf barking.

The "ominous" horn lines was also being compared to TNGHT's "Higher Ground" and Kanye West's "Blood on the Leaves".^[4]

Critical reception

Writing for The Guardian, Hannah Jane Parkinson voted the song as the week's "Best New Track", stating "If the Grim Reaper and Voldemort hooked up in a David Cronenberg film, this would be 'their song'."^[5]

Remix version

A remix version called "Chimes RMX", which features Pusha T, Travis Scott, French Montana and Future, was released on November 21, 2014.^[6] Mohawke soon after debuted an interactive video which has similarities to Super Mario 64's menu screen where you can play with the performers' faces.^[7]

Usage in media

After "Chimes" was already being mastered and going into manufacture, "by chance", Apple came along and decided that they wanted to use it for their campaign.

Track listing

Digital download – remix
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Chimes (RMX)" (featuring Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott and French Montana)	3:12

Chimes EP

Chimes
EP by Hudson Mohawke
Released	September 29, 2014
Recorded	2012-2014
Genre	Trap electronica
Length	11:29
Label	Warp
Producer	Hudson Mohawke
Hudson Mohawke chronology
Hud Mo 100 (2013) Chimes (2014)

Chimes is the eight extended play by Hudson Mohawke on September 29, 2014 through Warp Records. The EP includes a 170 bpm Gammer remix of the track with UK hardcore influences, as well as two more new productions titled "Brainwave" and "King Kong Beaver".

Background

After finishing the title track, he decided to release an EP before the full-length album.

In July 2015, while debuting the title track, he also announced the release of the album on September 30 and its track list.^[8]

Songs

Described by Pitchfork Media, "Brainwave" is a "brooding synth" track that "haunted by soaring choir work", which reminiscent of M83.^[9] The last track from the EP was a remix of "Chimes" from DJ Gammer.^[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
NME	7/10[10]
Pitchfork Media	6.7/10[9]
PopMatters	[11]

While Pitchfork Media's Jamieson Cox calling the title song the "most fleshed-out track", the other two were said to be "minor" but still do expand Mohawke's repertoire, with the EP "does a fine job of sustaining his momentum."^[9]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Chimes"	3:31
2.	"Brainwave"	2:17
3.	"King Kong Beaver"	2:40
4.	"Chimes" (Gammer Re-Edit)	3:03
Total length:		11:29

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[12]	84
France (SNEP)[13]	30
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[14]	9
UK Indie Breakers (Official Charts Company)[15]	1
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard)[16]	12

External links

• "Hudson Mohawke: Chimes". Warp.

References

1. "Hudson Mohawke - Chimes". YouTube.com. 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
2. "Apple - MacBook Air - TV Ad - Stickers". YouTube.com. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
3. Yoshida, Emily (June 12, 2015). "Hudson Mohawke talks about taking a break from the club on his new album Lantern". The Verge. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
4. Bowe, Miles (July 22, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke – "Chimes"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
5. Parkinson, Hannah Jane (September 26, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke's Chimes, this week's best new track". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
6. "Chimes (Rmx) [feat. Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott, French Montana] - Single". iTunes Store United States. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
7. Goble, Corban (November 25, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke's "Chimes RMX" Featuring Pusha T, Future, Travi$ Scott, and French Montana Gets Interactive Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
8. Fact staff(s) (July 22, 2014). "Stream Hudson Mohawke's new single, 'Chimes'". Fact. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
9. Cox, Jamieson (September 30, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke — Chimes EP review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
10. Sheffield, Hazel (September 28, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke —- Chimes EP review". NME. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
11. Ramirez, AJ (September 29, 2014). "Hudson Mohawke — Chimes EP review". PopMatters. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
12. "Ultratop.be – Hudson Mohawke – Chimes" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
13. "Lescharts.com – Hudson Mohawke – Chimes" (in French). Les classement single.
14. "Archive Chart: 2014-11-29" UK Indie Chart. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
15. "Archive Chart: 2014-11-29". UK Indie Breakers Chart. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
16. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723025427/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1521865/hudson-mohawke/chart?f=1099. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)