Shabazz Palaces and returning directorial team TEAN (‘Motion Sickness‘) have delivered the conjoined new visuals for ‘Moon Whip Quäz (feat. Darrius)’ from Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and ‘Julian’s Dream (ode to a bad)‘ from Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines.
In the “Moon Whip Quiz” video, slumber party magic summons forth the otherworldly figure known as Quäz; and in the “ode to badass females” visual for “Julian’s Dream (ode to a bad),” the mythical Quäz joins forces with lead protagonist Dr. Julian in her quest to liberate the controversial bodyswap tech she invented.
Shabazz Palaces European and UK tour dates in support of Quazarz Born on a Gangster Star, and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines have been extended through February 2019. Beginning November 17th in Skopje, Macedonia and ending December 3rd, 2018 in London at O2 Arena, the group will support Ms. Lauryn Hill on the EU/UK edition of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour.”
Shabazz Palaces – Moon Whip Quäz (feat. Darrius)
Shabazz Palaces – Julian’s Dream (ode to a bad)
What people are saying Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines and affiliated singles:
“In thermodynamics, black bodies are both perfect absorbers and emitters of radiant energy. That seeming contradiction would not be lost on one Palaceer Lazaro, better known as Ishmael Butler of Shabazz Palaces, who continues to find far-out ways to reflect and refract the sound and fury of popular culture and contemporary blackness…Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star…pushes an interstellar narrative that’s equal parts absurd and real…It’s a cosmic trip. [Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star] – NPR Music
“The power of Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs the Jealous Machines comes from the way they spike their dense, abstract sound with moments of accessibility: a band broadening what they do without blunting their edge or losing their uniqueness.” – [4/5, Album of the Week] – The Guardian
“The pair’s music sounds like rap music viewed through a prism – a psychedelic reverie of glittering electronic textures and unconventional beats that’s sensual, expansive and disorientating….Like interstellar guides, they’re always positioned a little further out than their peers, and these two records offer suggested routes to an infinity of possible futures.” [8/10] – Uncut
“A thrilling excursion, possessing an otherworldly ambiance and substance you’ll spend months decoding, every spin yielding something new. Adventurous ears, listen up!” [4/5 stars] – MOJO
“Set Quazarz to stunning.” [4/5 stars] – Q
“The Quazarz suite is an unequivocal triumph.” – [9/10] – Loud & Quiet
“These exquisite new sonic meanderings conjure up the ghost of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” [Record of the Month] – London In Stereo
“Both of Shabazz Palaces’ new albums are meticulously crafted, with an obscure narrative and arrangements so vivid they beckon you to unravel them.” [4/5 stars] – The Skinny
“Digitally cut-up, delayed and reverberated, words tumble, swirl and spill, smearing themselves over fragmented beats and shimmering kaleidoscopic backdrops: strands of audio graffiti sprayed on walls that gleam, shift shape and then finally vanish.” [Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star & Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines] – Wire
