This Is Not Pop are proud to announce the first full album collaboration from two of Scottish hip hop’s most experimental artists. Texture and Asthmatic Astronaut, the duo behind cult label Black Lantern Music, have just released their long-play ILLVMINATE. Both artists have previously received support from local and national music publications (VICE, Noisey, Louderthanwar, Is This Music?) for pushing the boundaries in one of Scotland’s fastest growing and most diverse music scenes. 

Scottish Alternative Music Award-nominated producer Asthmatic Astronaut’s eerie electro-inspired production provides the perfect foil for seasoned performer Texture’s complex, technical rhyme patterns and dusky pop hooks. The duo move past the limitations of contemporary trap or boom bap, Asthmatic Astronaut’s hauntological soundscapes bringing to mind the Warp-era downtempo of Boards of Canada and glitch-hop pioneers like Flying Lotus. Meanwhile, Texture draws on imagery from ancient mythologies and apocalyptic futures to craft vivid and menacing polemics that would make Adam Curtis blush.

The result is an enthralling project that delves into politics, science fiction, technology and post-capitalist futures. Singles Robocoppppp/3D Eye and Black Ink Kings also feature on the 15-track LP, along with features from Mt. Grey Brown (Bard Vapor) and Miles Better (Atlas Works). The album has been released on boutique cassette and CD label This Is Not Pop, who have released celebrated and award-winning homegrown artists such as Shogun, Gasp, Loki, Kid Robotik, Brelstaff, dustmotes, Tickle and Tzusan. The album is available on deluxe, limited-edition CD and digital. 

Asthmatic Astronaut has a back catalogue spanning every genre and style of hip hop. His blistering 19-track compilation ‘This Is Not Pop’ saw him collaborate with some of Scotland’s most gifted emcees. His other collaborative projects include CHURCH OF WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN and Age of Reptiles. 

Texture is one of Scotland’s most prolific writers, rappers and performers, with over a decade of work behind him. He has upcoming collaborations with L-Space, Werd, Becci Wallace and Conscious Route. Last year, he released two EPs with beats from Hypnokid, Kid Robotik, drewthearchitect and Tzusan.