Chieftain by Steve Cobby Presents Chieftain – A Deep Dive into Electronic Vibes
Alright, let’s talk about Chieftain, the 2015 gem from Steve Cobby. If you’re into electronic music with layers of house, downtempo, and even a splash of future jazz, this album is like that cozy blanket on a rainy day—warm, inviting, but also kinda mysterious. Released under the UK label Déclassé, it’s one of those records that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
First off, let’s give props to the design crew: Jorge Verdin for the visuals and Steve Cobby himself for snapping some moody photos. The whole package feels cohesive, like they really thought through how the art ties into the sound. And hey, shoutout to Regan and Cobby for penning these tracks—they’ve got a knack for crafting tunes that stick in your head without being too in-your-face.
Now, onto the music. There are two tracks I can’t stop looping: “Coati Mundi” and “Till Everyman Is Free.”
“Coati Mundi” is just… smooth. Like butter-on-hot-toast smooth. It starts with this laid-back groove that feels like walking through a dimly lit lounge where everyone knows your name. The beat builds gradually, adding little flourishes here and there, until suddenly you realize you’ve been nodding along for five minutes straight. What makes it memorable? Maybe it’s the way it balances chill vibes with just enough edge to keep things interesting. You could play this at a party or while zoning out solo—it works either way.
Then there’s “Till Everyman Is Free,” which hits different. This one has more of a soulful undertone, almost like it’s trying to tell you something important without using words. The synths swell in all the right places, creating this cinematic vibe that feels bigger than life. It reminds me of staring out a train window late at night, watching city lights blur together as thoughts race through your mind. Yeah, it’s deep like that.
One thing I dig about Chieftain is how it doesn’t try too hard to impress. It’s not flashy or overproduced; instead, it lets its textures and rhythms speak for themselves. Tracks like these make me appreciate how much emotion electronic music can carry—even without lyrics, you feel stuff. That’s rare.
Oh, quick side note: did anyone else notice the tracklist typo? Both “Coati Mundi” and “Till Everyman Is Free” show up twice, once spelled differently (“Til”). Not sure if it was intentional or just an oopsie, but honestly, it kinda adds character. Feels human, y’know?
So yeah, Chieftain isn’t gonna blow up the charts or anything—it’s too niche for that—but it’s the kind of album you stumble upon years later and think, “Wow, why don’t people talk about this more?” It’s understated brilliance wrapped in a cool cover. If you’re looking for something low-key yet impactful, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out for hours!
Random thought to leave you with: listening to this album feels like finding an old mixtape in the back of a drawer. It’s nostalgic, even though it’s new. Weird, huh?
