Album Review: Hard Times by Unknown Artist
Alright, let’s talk about this hidden gem from the late '90s—Hard Times. It’s an electronic album, leaning heavy into house vibes, released back in 1998 in the UK. No big label backing it, just some DIY spirit with “Not On Label” stamped on it. Honestly, it feels like one of those records that slipped under the radar but still hits hard if you stumble across it.
Now, I gotta say, there’s not much info out there about this artist or even the tracklist (seriously, who names a track "Unknown"?), but what I do remember is how raw and unfiltered the whole thing feels. Like, you can almost picture someone hunched over a beat machine in their bedroom, tweaking knobs till 4 AM. That’s the charm here—it’s not polished to death; it’s got grit.
One track that sticks with me is… well, let’s call it Track 2 because hey, who knows its real name? This one kicks off with this hypnotic bassline that just loops around your brain like a lazy cat on a windowsill. Then bam—these crisp hi-hats come in, sharp enough to cut glass, and suddenly you’re nodding your head whether you want to or not. There’s something about how simple it is yet totally infectious. Feels like the kind of tune that could soundtrack a dimly lit club where everyone’s lost in their own little world.
Then there’s another banger—I think it’s near the end of the album—that goes full-on euphoric. Imagine shimmering synths layered over a steady four-on-the-floor kick drum, building up slowly until it drops into this warm, fuzzy groove. It’s the kind of moment that makes you forget whatever crappy day you’ve had and just vibe. I mean, yeah, maybe it’s nothing groundbreaking, but sometimes all you need is a good vibe, right?
What gets me thinking though is how albums like this get lost in time. You’ve got these massive house anthems getting all the shine while gems like Hard Times stay buried. Kinda wild when you think about it. Maybe that’s part of the magic too—knowing you’re listening to something most people will never hear.
Anyway, wrapping this up, Hard Times might not be perfect, but it’s got soul. And honestly, isn’t that what house music’s all about? Oh, random thought: wouldn’t it be funny if the artist was actually famous now and just didn’t tell anyone they made this? Stranger things have happened, trust me.
