Kit Hepburn's new single, left alone, is out now!
Image: Darren Gill
To celebrate the release of his new single, left alone, we asked Kit Hepburn to throw his top five lo-fi artists at us, and he delivered!
The dark and brooding track is a response to the isolation and loneliness felt worldwide throughout 2020, built upon gentle electric piano and dreamy beats. “I was living on my own during lockdown, which was a blessing in some ways and a curse in others.
I wasn’t able to see any friends or work, so I’d just spend my nights driving around real late. There’s something about driving around late at night on empty roads that feels otherworldly, particularly at that time. I think that feeling is in the song for sure…this song is an expression of wanting closeness, but also having walls up.” Hepburn shares.
The musical project of Zac Kazepis, the Victorian artist wrote, produced, mixed and mastered left alone entirely by himself during Melbourne’s extended lockdown, as he says, “It feels so good to be releasing left alone. I was obsessed with getting this song just right, so it feels good to be finally sharing it with the world and getting it out of my bedroom.”
Without further adieu, here are Kit Hepburns's Top 5 Lo-Fi Artists...
J DILLA
Whilst he’s not technically a lo-fi artist, it’s hard to talk about lo-fi as a genre without talking about Dilla, as he remains one of the biggest influences to the genre. J Dilla was a hip-hop producer and rapper who’s lo-fi aesthetic, unusual and evocative sampling techniques and off-kilter drum beats influenced not only hip-hop, but also electronic and jazz. His album Donuts is essential listening for lovers of lo-fi.
TOMPPABEATS
In terms of modern lo-fi hip hop, Helsinki artist Tomppabeats’ sound encapsulates the soulful and nostalgic sound that that the genre is known for. Listen to his album harbor next time you want to anime and chill.
JOJI
Joji’s early music, back when he was still uploading wild Youtube videos as his main gig - captured and introduced the lo-fi aesthetic to a generation of moody teenagers, myself being one of them. His mix of piano-based beats and intimate r&b inspired vocals have a lasting charm, and influenced me a lot when I was getting started making music.
KNXWLEDGE
Pulling from various genres such as Jazz, Old-School Hip-Hop and Soul Knxwledge makes hard hitting beats, lo-fi feeling beats. As well as his large solo catalogue, Knxwledge’s extensive work as producer includes working with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly, as well as work alongside Anderson .Paak as the duo NxWorries.
NUJABES
A legend and pioneer of what would become modern lo-fi, Nujabes’ blend of sweet sounding jazz samples and dusty hip hop beats has inspired a generation of today’s beat-makers.