Les Cooper – Anyone
“A fabulous, slightly mystical symphonic intro slowly fraught on his palms, like an ice cube, when a voice -es cooper- is replacing him. Its timbre can be compared with a cup of hot tea, which melts the hearts of its listeners. Rhythm comes from the middle of the track - and real miracles begin here. You realize this as soon as you listen to the track from beginning to end. (Automatically Translated with Google Translate)”
“Сказочное, немного мистическое симфоническое интро медленно таит на ладонях, словно кубик льда, когда ему на смену приходит голос -Les Cooper-. Его тембр можно сравнить с чашкой горячего чая, которая растопляет сердца своих слушателей. С середины трека вступает ритм - и здесь начинаются настоящие чудеса. Вы осознаете это, как только послушаете трек от начала до конца.”
-Nagamag.com
On his debut solo album, Noise, Toronto-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Les Cooper is stepping out on his own with eight tracks that delve deep into his sonic toolbox, exploring the worlds of electronic rock and dream laden pop.
Noise includes the sweeping and pensive “Anyone,” which features lush string arrangements written by Cooper. The track reflects on an individual perpetuating a cycle of harmful behaviour while navigating relationships.
For over two decades, Les Cooper has been regarded as one of Canada’s leading music producers, earning JUNO Awards for his work with The Good Lovelies, and further JUNO nominations for albums he produced for Jill Barber and Madison Violet.
With Noise, Cooper has finally allowed himself to push the envelope with all of his creative faculties. After laying down basic tracks with some of Canada’s most in-demand session musicians, Cooper describes his process as reassembling them almost like Lego pieces until, in most cases, the final songs were unrecognizable from the original takes.
Against this shape-shifting musical backdrop highlighted by Cooper’s skill with electronic treatments and string arrangements, the effect of listening to Noise can be both soothing and unsettling, depending on one’s state of mind.
Reviewed by Nagamag on June 1, 2022