It Is What It Is
by Thundercat

— Released 3rd April 2020 on Brainfeeder

GRAMMYs 2021 Winner - Best Progressive R&B Album

Thundercat has released his new album “It Is What It Is” on Brainfeeder Records. The album, produced by Flying Lotus and Thundercat, features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox. “It Is What It Is” has been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Progressive R&B Category and with Flying Lotus also receiving...

GRAMMYs 2021 Winner - Best Progressive R&B Album

Thundercat has released his new album “It Is What It Is” on Brainfeeder Records. The album, produced by Flying Lotus and Thundercat, features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox. “It Is What It Is” has been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Progressive R&B Category and with Flying Lotus also receiving a nomination in the Producer of the Year (Non-Classical).

“It Is What It Is” follows his game-changing third album “Drunk” (2017). That record completed his transition from virtuoso bassist to bonafide star and cemented his reputation as a unique voice that transcends genre. “This album is about love, loss, life and the ups and downs that come with that,” Bruner says about “It Is What It Is”. “It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but at different points in life you come across places that you don’t necessarily understand… some things just aren’t meant to be understood.” 

The tragic passing of his friend Mac Miller in September 2018 had a profound effect on Thundercat and the making of “It Is What It Is”. “Losing Mac was extremely difficult,” he explains. “I had to take that pain in and learn from it and grow from it. It sobered me up… it shook the ground for all of us in the artist community.” 

The unruly bounce of new single ‘Black Qualls’ is classic Thundercat, teaming up with Steve Lacy (The Internet) and Funk icon Steve Arrington (Slave). It’s another example of Stephen Lee Bruner’s desire to highlight the lineage of his music and pay his respects to the musicians who inspired him. Discovering Arrington’s output in his late teens, Bruner says he fell in love with his music immediately: “The tone of the bass, the way his stuff feels and moves, it resonated through my whole body.” ‘Black Qualls’ emerged from writing sessions with Lacy, whom Thundercat describes as “the physical incarnate of the Ohio Players in one person - he genuinely is a funky ass dude”. It references what it means to be a black American with a young mindset: “What it feels like to be in this position right now… the weird ins and outs, we’re talking about those feelings…” 

Thundercat revisits established partnerships with Kamasi Washington, Louis Cole, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Ronald Bruner Jr and Dennis Hamm on “It Is What Is Is” but there are new faces too: Childish Gambino, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, plus Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B on ‘Fair Chance’ - a song explicitly about his friend Mac Miller’s passing. The aptly titled ‘I Love Louis Cole’ is another standout - “Louis Cole is a brush of genius. He creates so purely,” says Thundercat. “He makes challenging music: harmony-wise, melody-wise and tempo-wise but still finds a way for it to be beautiful and palatable.” 

Elsewhere on the album, ‘Dragonball Durag’ exemplifies both Thundercat’s love of humour in music and indeed his passion for the cult Japanese animé. “I have a Dragon Ball tattoo… it runs everything. There is a saying that Dragon Ball runs life,” he explains. “The durag is a superpower, to turn your swag on. It does something… it changes you,” he says smiling. 

Thundercat’s music starts on his couch at home: “It’s just me, the bass and the computer”. Nevertheless, referring to the spiritual connection that he shares with his longtime writing and production partner Flying Lotus, Bruner describes his friend as “the other half of my brain”. “I wouldn’t be the artist I am if Lotus wasn’t there,” he says. “He taught me… he saw me as an artist and he encouraged it. No matter the life changes, that’s my partner. We are always thinking of pushing in different ways.” 

Comedy is an integral part of Thundercat’s personality. “If you can’t laugh at this stuff you might as well not be here,” he muses. He seems to be magnetically drawn to comedians from Zack Fox (with whom he collaborates regularly) to Dave Chappelle, Eric Andre and Hannibal Buress whom he counts as friends. “Every comedian wants to be a musician and every musician wants to be a comedian,” he says. “And every good musician is really funny, for the most part.” It’s the juxtaposition, or the meeting point, between the laughter and the pain that is striking listening to “It Is What It Is”: it really is all-encompassing. “The thing that really becomes a bit transcendent in the laugh is when it goes in between how you really feel,” Bruner says. “You’re hoping people understand it, but you don’t even understand how it’s so funny ‘cos it hurts sometimes.” 

Thundercat forms a cornerstone of the Brainfeeder label; he released “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” (2011), “Apocalypse” (2013), followed by EP “The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam” featuring the modern classic ‘Them Changes’. He was later “at the creative epicenter” (per Rolling Stone) of the 21st century’s most influential hip-hop album Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”, where he won a Grammy for his collaboration on the track ‘These Walls’ before releasing his third album “Drunk” in 2017. In 2018 Thundercat and Flying Lotus composed an original score for an episode of Golden Globe and Emmy award winning TV series “Atlanta” (created and written by Donald Glover).

It Is What It Is
by Thundercat

— Released 3rd April 2020 on Brainfeeder

Physical

LP (BF100X)

Deluxe Clear LP

140g clear vinyl LP housed in a 6mm spined gatefold sleeve with gold foil detail. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£29.00
 
LP (BF100DX)

Deluxe Picture Disc LP

Limited edition 140g picture disc LP housed in a 6mm spined gatefold sleeve with gold foil detail and OBI strip. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

 
LP (BF100)

Red LP

140g red vinyl LP housed in a 3mm spined sleeve. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£18.00
 
LP (BF100E)

Cream LP

140g cream vinyl LP housed in a 3mm spined sleeve with OBI strip. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£18.00
 
CD (BFCD100)

CD softpack. Photography by Eddie Alcazar.

£8.00
 

Digital

SAVE TO SPOTIFY

Add this release to your Spotify account now

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MP3 (BFDNL100)
£5.00
 
16-bit WAV (BFDNL100)
£7.00
 

Physical

Digital

LP (BF100X)

Deluxe Clear LP

140g clear vinyl LP housed in a 6mm spined gatefold sleeve with gold foil detail. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£29.00
SAVE TO SPOTIFY

Add this release to your Spotify account now

You will be asked to login with your Spotify Account

Read our Terms & Conditions about this service here

LP (BF100DX)

Deluxe Picture Disc LP

Limited edition 140g picture disc LP housed in a 6mm spined gatefold sleeve with gold foil detail and OBI strip. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

MP3 (BFDNL100)
£5.00
LP (BF100)

Red LP

140g red vinyl LP housed in a 3mm spined sleeve. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£18.00
16-bit WAV (BFDNL100)
£7.00
LP (BF100E)

Cream LP

140g cream vinyl LP housed in a 3mm spined sleeve with OBI strip. Photography by Eddie Alcazar. MP3 downloads included.

£18.00
CD (BFCD100)

CD softpack. Photography by Eddie Alcazar.

£8.00

Bundles

Bundle Up - Create your own custom bundle and get a discount off your final purchase.

Tracklist

  • CD
  • LP
  • LP
  • LP
  • LP
  • MP3
  • 16-bit WAV
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)
  1. 1
    Lost In Space / Great Scott / 22-26
  2. 2
    Innerstellar Love
  3. 3
    I Love Louis Cole  (featuring Louis Cole)
  4. 4
    Black Qualls  (featuring Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington and Childish Gambino)
  5. 5
    Miguel's Happy Dance
  6. 6
    How Sway
  7. 7
    Funny Thing
  8. 8
    Overseas  (featuring Zack Fox)
  9. 9
    Dragonball Durag
  10. 10
    How I Feel
  11. 11
    King Of The Hill
  12. 12
    Unrequited Love
  13. 13
    Fair Chance  (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B)
  14. 14
    Existential Dread
  15. 15
    It Is What It Is  (featuring Pedro Martins)
  16.  
    Play All (15)

GRAMMYs 2021 Winner - Best Progressive R&B Album

Thundercat has released his new album “It Is What It Is” on Brainfeeder Records. The album, produced by Flying Lotus and Thundercat, features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox. “It Is What It Is” has been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Progressive R&B Category and with Flying Lotus also receiving...

GRAMMYs 2021 Winner - Best Progressive R&B Album

Thundercat has released his new album “It Is What It Is” on Brainfeeder Records. The album, produced by Flying Lotus and Thundercat, features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox. “It Is What It Is” has been nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Progressive R&B Category and with Flying Lotus also receiving a nomination in the Producer of the Year (Non-Classical).

“It Is What It Is” follows his game-changing third album “Drunk” (2017). That record completed his transition from virtuoso bassist to bonafide star and cemented his reputation as a unique voice that transcends genre. “This album is about love, loss, life and the ups and downs that come with that,” Bruner says about “It Is What It Is”. “It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but at different points in life you come across places that you don’t necessarily understand… some things just aren’t meant to be understood.” 

The tragic passing of his friend Mac Miller in September 2018 had a profound effect on Thundercat and the making of “It Is What It Is”. “Losing Mac was extremely difficult,” he explains. “I had to take that pain in and learn from it and grow from it. It sobered me up… it shook the ground for all of us in the artist community.” 

The unruly bounce of new single ‘Black Qualls’ is classic Thundercat, teaming up with Steve Lacy (The Internet) and Funk icon Steve Arrington (Slave). It’s another example of Stephen Lee Bruner’s desire to highlight the lineage of his music and pay his respects to the musicians who inspired him. Discovering Arrington’s output in his late teens, Bruner says he fell in love with his music immediately: “The tone of the bass, the way his stuff feels and moves, it resonated through my whole body.” ‘Black Qualls’ emerged from writing sessions with Lacy, whom Thundercat describes as “the physical incarnate of the Ohio Players in one person - he genuinely is a funky ass dude”. It references what it means to be a black American with a young mindset: “What it feels like to be in this position right now… the weird ins and outs, we’re talking about those feelings…” 

Thundercat revisits established partnerships with Kamasi Washington, Louis Cole, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Ronald Bruner Jr and Dennis Hamm on “It Is What Is Is” but there are new faces too: Childish Gambino, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, plus Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B on ‘Fair Chance’ - a song explicitly about his friend Mac Miller’s passing. The aptly titled ‘I Love Louis Cole’ is another standout - “Louis Cole is a brush of genius. He creates so purely,” says Thundercat. “He makes challenging music: harmony-wise, melody-wise and tempo-wise but still finds a way for it to be beautiful and palatable.” 

Elsewhere on the album, ‘Dragonball Durag’ exemplifies both Thundercat’s love of humour in music and indeed his passion for the cult Japanese animé. “I have a Dragon Ball tattoo… it runs everything. There is a saying that Dragon Ball runs life,” he explains. “The durag is a superpower, to turn your swag on. It does something… it changes you,” he says smiling. 

Thundercat’s music starts on his couch at home: “It’s just me, the bass and the computer”. Nevertheless, referring to the spiritual connection that he shares with his longtime writing and production partner Flying Lotus, Bruner describes his friend as “the other half of my brain”. “I wouldn’t be the artist I am if Lotus wasn’t there,” he says. “He taught me… he saw me as an artist and he encouraged it. No matter the life changes, that’s my partner. We are always thinking of pushing in different ways.” 

Comedy is an integral part of Thundercat’s personality. “If you can’t laugh at this stuff you might as well not be here,” he muses. He seems to be magnetically drawn to comedians from Zack Fox (with whom he collaborates regularly) to Dave Chappelle, Eric Andre and Hannibal Buress whom he counts as friends. “Every comedian wants to be a musician and every musician wants to be a comedian,” he says. “And every good musician is really funny, for the most part.” It’s the juxtaposition, or the meeting point, between the laughter and the pain that is striking listening to “It Is What It Is”: it really is all-encompassing. “The thing that really becomes a bit transcendent in the laugh is when it goes in between how you really feel,” Bruner says. “You’re hoping people understand it, but you don’t even understand how it’s so funny ‘cos it hurts sometimes.” 

Thundercat forms a cornerstone of the Brainfeeder label; he released “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” (2011), “Apocalypse” (2013), followed by EP “The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam” featuring the modern classic ‘Them Changes’. He was later “at the creative epicenter” (per Rolling Stone) of the 21st century’s most influential hip-hop album Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”, where he won a Grammy for his collaboration on the track ‘These Walls’ before releasing his third album “Drunk” in 2017. In 2018 Thundercat and Flying Lotus composed an original score for an episode of Golden Globe and Emmy award winning TV series “Atlanta” (created and written by Donald Glover).