Simple [IDK Album]

IDK Keeps Things ‘Simple’ In His At-Home Tiny Desk Concert Featuring Mike Dean

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One of the most fun elements of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts has always been the crowd interactions — something that has been missing ever since the series went to an at-home format as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, as restrictions have eased up and vaccination levels increase, it looks like we’ll start to receive something of a hybrid approach whenever it’s possible. IDK’s new Tiny Desk Concert brings back the live audience feel as he invites neighbors and friends to his Los Angeles home to perform new songs from his recently released album Simple.

Opening with the soulful “Puerto Rico,” IDK opts to set the mood with the smooth, melodic gem from USEE4YOURSELF rather than one of his harder-hitting rap tracks, which allows him to present himself as a “sweet guy” and adds to the overall inviting mood. Meanwhile, Kaytranada’s jazzy, house-influenced production from Simple proves to translate beautifully to the stripped-down set, where some synthesized baby grand sets the groove as IDK’s friend thumps out the beat on a coffee table. Mike Dean also makes an appearance to contribute a ripping guitar solo to IDK’s latest single, “Breathe.”

Watch IDK’s Tiny Desk Concert above.

IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

IDK And Kaytranada’s ‘Breathe’ Video Gives Some Strong ‘E.T.’ Vibes

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The first thing that pops into mind watching the video for “Breathe” from IDK‘s newly released, Kaytranad-produced album Simple is E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Just as the title character’s telekinetic abilities make for the breathtaking visual of a band of bicycles soaring across the sky in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic, IDK sends a fleet of cyclists skyward in his own music video.

Shot in Paris, the video makes a point of showing the sense of freedom one can find even in the midst of doing something as mundane as delivering food. The cyclists in the video also find liberation in their sense of camaraderie with one another as they team up to cruise through one of the city’s tunnels, one of them presumably blasting the laid-back track via speakers attached to their saddle.

The song itself is a marked departure from some of IDK’s older, more aggressive material — and even the cooler grooves offered by his EDM pioneer collaborator. Rather than rapping, IDK sings the airy vocals, offering the reassuring advice to just breathe through it all. While other songs from the album, like “Taco” and “Dog Food,” blended his harder-edged sensibilities with the groovier production of Kaytranada, this song sees IDK truly branching out and showing his full range.

Watch IDK and Kaytranada’s “Breathe” video above.

Simple is out now on Clue with Warner Records. Get it here.

IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

IDK Announces His Upcoming Album ‘Simple’ Will Be Produced Kaytranada

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idk simple kaytranada
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For the better part of a month now, DMV MC IDK (say that five times fast) has been teasing the impending release of his third studio album. He’s been calling the follow-up to 2021’s USee4Yourself a huge departure and today, he revealed why: The whole album will be produced by the house pioneer Kaytranada. It’s called Simple, and he shared its abstract cover via Instagram and Twitter. He also shared its release date via his new Discord server. Here’s a hint: He’ll be competing with Jack Harlow.

idk simple release date
Discord

The collaboration announcement shouldn’t be that much of a surprise after IDK’s last single, “Taco,” was produced by Kaytranada and gave a glimpse of the rapper’s new direction. An upbeat track with heavy dance music influence, “Taco” presented a juxtaposition between the glittering production and the rapper’s gritty, rhymes — exactly the sort of contradiction that IDK has loved to present on past projects like IsHeReal? and USee4Yourself. Meanwhile, Kaytranada has gotten more active lately, ending 2021 with his EP, Intimidated, and showing off his production chops on Joyce Wrice’s new single “Iced Tea.” It should be interesting to see what these two genre-benders have come up with.

Simple is due 5/6 via Clue and Warner Records.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.