Ed Ackman – Cocoon An EP in 4 Genres (13th Floor EP Review)
Ed Ackman has just released Cocoon: An EP In 4 Genres and The 13th Floor’s Alex Robertson has made some rather startling discoveries about how and why this music was made.
Here at 13th Floor we get to pick and choose what we want to review – the ‘Boss’ sends out a list of upcoming releases and gigs every week and it’s up to us, the contributors, to put our hand up for music and events that appeal and to what we hope we can do justice to in our reviews.
Occasionally, the ‘Boss” sends something through with a “Would you like to look at this?” note attached, which is always exciting as it usually means something a bit special.
I got one of those notes recently with a link to Ed Ackman’s Cocoon, an EP in four genres. Just the link to the songs and no press release or information.
When I clicked through and played the first track I thought “This is something special!”
That first track, I’ve Broken My Own Heart, set the pulse racing: A funky, upbeat, soulful track unfolded with a voice that made me think we’re on the verge of a new discovery – was this the new Gin Wigmore, Amy Winehouse even?
The band was tight, the words a great expression of pain from a failed relationship, and the voice! What a voice!
“When I said that we were through, I thought I was really over you
Wrong again – not so smart, seems I’ve broken my own heart.”
The next track was totally different, but equal in quality.
Cocoon, the title track if you will, is a catchy pop number with orchestrated backing over a click track. Two voices this time – man and woman reminiscent of Gotye and Kimbra – imploring each other to let go and jump in feet first:
“Can’t live your life in a Cocoon, Tomorrow’s coming too soon.”
Again, this is special. Mature, accomplished music-making from a complete unknown.
Who is the band, the singers? I’m thinking.
A mystery is beginning to build.
The next track, Selfies, has a another male voice, slightly different in timbre from that in Cocoon. It’s poppy, catchy and funny. A bit of social commentary on modern-day obsessions with that all-too-familiar and all-too-annoying habit of taking a selfie anywhere and everywhere.
“The most important thing’s not being there, But getting likes from my Insta share, Forgot where I’d been when I got home, So tapped some selfies on my phone.”
Where is this going? That’s 3 tracks, 4 different voices and 3 musical styles….
The final track, Your Pretty Thing, is a Country number, maybe even a little Western thrown in. Is that Iris Dement singing?
“You wanted me around to be your pretty thing, Like a bird in a cage that you keep to sing, You treated me as if I was your windup toy, A face and body that was yours to enjoy.”
Amazed, I knew I had to uncover this mystery. Each genre is way too tight and self-assured to be one band.
So how was this produced?
Well, there’s a hint in the press release that came my way after I’d already given the release a listen.
The release starts with – “I always was a musician at heart, but life got in the way and I decided that a lifestyle without any money was going to be far more painful than giving up a musical career.”
Okay, so we’re dealing with somebody who’s seen a few summers…
“With time on my hands I learned again to play (but not bass!) and started writing tunes,” it continues. “How hard could it be? Had people recording my music even. Turns out it’s so much harder than making money. The similarity was, however, never giving up.”
Okay, so it’s a second career choice and it’s not been an easy move. I think that’s probably about how most musicians feel.
“I was on holidays when a friend was composing a birthday greeting and I suggested we create a song for him in AI. Once I learned the method, we wrote lyrics. After a few false starts it was made, complete with tune. Holy hell, it was great! In AI I’d found a writing partner.”
The lightbulb moment!
Ed has managed to create this four-track with the aid of public enemy No.1. The dreaded ChatGPT, Grok, Deep Fake fuckery!
“I realise that many are challenged by this new technology and I understand their reluctance to accept it as an alternative way,” the message continues. “The steam engine, weaving machines, radio, TV, combine harvesters, computers, calculators were all reviled in their day – as AI is largely now.”
All of this is true. Looking back at history, we’re taught that resistance to the new is common, an almost prerequisite before advances are taken up – look at the industrial revolution and the Luddite revolution, TV killing the radio star, the internet bringing newspapers to their knees (of which I’m a victim).
What to think?
I dropped Ed a line asking who else was involved, what instruments he played, what’s his history and how did he make this stuff.
This is Ed’s reply (in full)
“All the lyrics are mine and I’ve wrangled (it’s not as easy as they say) the rest, all sound and production, in AI. The AI tool is fine, but I’ve discovered it’s only as good as the control you have over it.
I spent three decades in advertising in Australia, most of it in agencies I owned. Came to NZ afterwards to live – great move!!
I have played the worst bass you ever heard (the smokes and girls were the motivation) when I was young, some guitar, drums, but lately I use ukulele to compose as it’s so easy to concentrate on the writing and not figuring how to play an Fmaj Barr chord.
I’m a solo artist mainly (but I sometimes perform in groups) and I play live wherever I go, New York, Chicago, Paris, Toulouse, Stockholm, Copenhagen are a few recents – we travel a lot.
These 4 tunes plus about 30 more, were produced by AI and me in the last month, entirely in my study, at home. It’s a new age!
As I become more skilful, I’m trying to create music that’s current and diverse.”
Well, Ed has written some great lyrics. A listen to his other songs brings me to the same conclusion. Poignant, funny, intelligent – these are descriptions I’d level at much of what he’s written.
And the music? Well, it’s good whichever way you look at it. The arrangements are purposeful, the melodies are catchy, the genres are true to form.
It’s going to take some adjustment to fully get on board.
But, as Ed says, “Beats, samples, computer music, virtual instruments have been with us for generations anyway. People will still go into studios to record. So I say buggar (sic) it! If the music’s good, who cares?”
You be the judge.”
Alex Robertson
Cocoon: An EP in 4 Genres is out now.
