(swiped from
Pitchfork Media)
Photo by Joseph MohanSomeone from The FADER made their way to a listening party for Kanye West's forthcoming 808s and Heartbreak at Los Angeles' Ace Gallery last night. To the surprise of no one, the whole affair was very lavish, and totally weird. Things went down in a stark room packed with 40 naked ladies-- wearing masks ostensibly made of fake lamb's wool, obviously-- who were backlit by glowing lights as the music went on. The evening's visual portion was designed by Italian artist of note Vanessa Beecroft, and Mos Def, will.i.am, and Rick Ross were all reportedly in attendance [via Idolator].
As for the album, 808s and Heartbreak apparently has Mr. West singing in his beloved Auto-Tune on virtually every track, and features a relatively pared-down selection of guests, with cameos from Young Jeezy (not singing, we imagine) and Lil Wayne (who knows anymore). As the title might suggest, it's a breakup album, with the exception of closer "Coldest Winter", which is about Kanye's late mother Donda West. The Fader report likens the sound of the disc to that of "ADULT. or Thom Yorke solo, with the dispassionate electro beats playing against the plainspoken ache of the vocals." Well all right then.
West then showed up as things were winding down to note that 808s and Heartbreak concerns "emotional nakedness," that the album is "about the freedom to do what you want to do," that Auto-Tune is "the most fun thing ever," and that he'll be issuing another new LP in June. Perhaps he will rap on that one.
808s and Heartbreak, whether you're ready or not, hits stores November 25 from Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. Kanye, meanwhile, hits the road on Friday for the first of many fall tour stops.
And finally, one more intriguing Kanye tidbit: Lykke Li is set to join Kanye on his contribution to N.A.S.A.'s batshit forthcoming LP, according to a report on Swedish blog PSL confirmed by N.A.S.A.'s publicist. The track is reportedly still in the works.
Kanye:
10-17 Mexico City, Mexico - Palacio de Los Deportes
10-18 Monterrey, Mexico - Arena Monterrey
10-22 São Paulo, Brazil - Auditorio Ibirapuera
10-24 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Marina da Gloria
10-29 Singapore, Singapore - Singapore Indoor Stadium
11-01 Beijing, China - Wukesong Olympic Basketball Gymnasium
11-03 Shanghai, China - Hongkou Soccer Stadium
11-08 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Odyssey Arena *
11-09 Dublin, Ireland - RDS Simmonscourt *
11-11 London, England - O2 Arena *
11-12 London, England - O2 Arena *
11-13 Newcastle, England - Metro Radio Arena *
11-14 Sheffield, England - Sheffield Arena *
11-15 Birmingham, England - NEC Birmingham *
11-16 Glasgow, Scotland - SECC *
11-17 Manchester, England - M.E.N. Arena *
11-20 Paris, France - Bercy *
11-21 Brussels, Belgium - Vorst National *
11-23 Oberhausen, Germany - König Pilsener Arena *
11-26 Rotterdam, Netherlands - Ahoy *
* with Santogold
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