Honouring a Decade of Thundercat’s Phenomenal Debut “The Golden Age of Apocalypse”
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In 2011, a new voice made its first echoes in the labyrinth of the music industry, that voice, a bassist extraordinary by the name Thundercat, also known as Stephen Bruner, embarked on his exploratory journey with his groundbreaking debut “The Golden Age of Apocalypse.” Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bruner honed his abilities alongside significant players in the industry such as Kamasi Washington, Cameron Graves, Ronald Bruner Jr, and others from the Young Jazz Giants. The crossover thrash artist’s album from a decade ago stands out in the history of the music world, not just as a remarkable entry point for Bruner, but also as a pivotal point that reignited jazz-focused creativity in the Los Angeles music scene.
Executively produced by Flying Lotus, Bruner’s longtime collaborator, the album represented a dynamic movement in Los Angeles that rapidly gained international limelight. “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” served as a musically rich epicentre, attracting and empowering a generation of artists and triggering an outpour of inspiring works including Kamasi Washington’s critically acclaimed 2015 album, “The Epic.” The 2011 release didn’t just pay homage to Thundercat’s innovative artistry; it celebrated a community of creators who collectively birthed a new era of music.
Bruner’s music, a cohesive blend of his various influences and inspirations, is a testament to his evolution as an artist. This creative force’s journey reflects the progression from his days with Suicidal Tendencies to collaborations with esteemed artists including Herbie Hancock and Stanley Clarke. Yet it was his take on other genres that set him apart. A deep dive into funk, soul, progressive R&B, psychedelia and jazz fusion led to an audacious sound that gave “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” its pervasive appeal. A key influence in this stylistic shift was the artist Erykah Badu, who played a crucial role in helping Bruner craft his stage presence and identity as Thundercat.
Taking a unique approach to his craft, Bruner reimagined the footprints of music pioneers like George Duke, Jaco Pastorius and Herbie Hancock to create a record that received universal recognition for its adventurous fusion. Today, a decade later, the album hasn’t lost its magic; it remains a marvellously sophisticated wonder, transcending genre boundaries like its creator, Thundercat.
An integral part of the Brainfeeder Records label, Thundercat’s discography within the label includes his debut, along with subsequent releases “Apocalypse” (2013), “Drunk” (2017) and “It Is What It Is” (2020), the last of which bagged Best Progressive R&B Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards. His sonic evolution is evident in his collaboration with other big names in music, including Ty Dolla $ign, Lil B, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, and Childish Gambino, among others.
From being a ardent fan of the cartoon, Thundercats, to voicing a character in the series’ reboot, Thundercat’s journey as a music master is as layered and complex as his compositions. Ten years later, the world still hums in tune with “The Golden Age of Apocalypse”, appreciating the depths of its harmonies while celebrating its daring spirit. What awaits in this musical maestro’s future is left to speculation, but if his debut is any indication, it promises to keep us captivated. As the anniversary edition of his debut album resurfaces in a lavish vinyl, it’s time to rekindle the flame that Thundercat’s music ignited- a golden age indeed.
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