Richard Russel (L) and Aitch.
Ed Morris
In recent years artist, producer, and XL Recordings founder Richard Russell has operated an open-door policy to collaboration as part of his ongoing project, Everything Is Recorded. A 2018 album from the ever-evolving collective featured appearances from Sampha, Wiki, Syd, and Kamasi Washington among others while just last week Russell returned with new song “10:51PM / THE NIGHT.” That track is the first episode of a saga that's set to roll out in the coming months and today brings the arrival of the second installment, “12:12AM / PATIENTS (FUCKING UP A FRIDAY).”
While “10:51PM / THE NIGHT” was located at the start of a big night out, "12:12AM / PATIENTS (FUCKING UP A FRIDAY)" takes place past the point of no return. Russell's murky and harsh production acts as a bed for New York-based vocalist Infinite Coles and Mancunian rapper Aitch to paint a picture of the chaos that surrounds them. Coles's vocal floats up like smoke while Aitch's thickly accented delivery brings xanax, alleyway liasons, clubs, and cash into perfect alignment.
Speaking to The FADER via email, Russell said: "'Patients' is a raw tune. Its just a 909, a lot of space, and these two incredible voices. Infinite Coles has a Paradise Garage quality to his voice, and he’s also very hip-hop, but in a completely new way. And thats also where Aitch comes in. A natural star. Thousand megawatt star quality just comes off him."
Check out “12:12AM / PATIENTS (FUCKING UP A FRIDAY)” below.
