Pop Studies

I put this album together in 2007 to explore the form of the pop music mp3s that filled my laptop hard drive. Each study explores a different aspect of digital audio files. My approach was informed by the compositional procedures of the experimental composers of the 1970's, and particularly by Steve Reich's phase work. The final track adapts his seminal "It's Gonna Rain," replacing his tape phase method with more distinctly modern manipulation of digital samples.

[download a .zip archive here.]

• Beyoncé Study #4
  [Beyoncé, “Kitty Kat.” B’Day. Sony.]
• Britney Study #5
  [Britney Spears, “Gimme More.” Blackout. Jive.]
• Ciara Study #13
  [Ciara, “Other Chicks.” Goodies. LaFace.]
• Jay-Z Study #9
  [Jay-Z, “Can I Get A...” Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam.]
• Rihanna Study #2
  [Rihanna, “Umbrella.” Good Girl Gone Bad. Def Jam.]
• Fergie Study #8
  [Fergie, “Glamorous.” The Dutchess. A&M.]
• It’s Gonna Rain
  [Steve Reich, “It’s Gonna Rain, Part I.” Early Works. Nonesuch.]

I do not own the rights to the samples in these pieces. If you want to sue me, please send me an email at nseaver [at] gmail [dot] com beforehand, so I can hide my assets.