A Decade of Transformation: Archy Marshall & King Krule’s Instrumental Journey in “A New Place 2 Drown”
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Archy Marshall, a multifaceted musical prodigy from London, best known under the moniker King Krule, came into the musical scene with a thunderous bang. His extensive catalog of music has left an indelible imprint on the artistic terrain of the last decade with its imaginative blend of different music genres including punk jazz, hip-hop, post-punk, and trip-hop. From his early beginnings in 2010 under the pseudonym Zoo Kid onto success as King Krule, his unique voice and revolutionary style have allowed his music to resonate with audiences globally.
Being known for his versatility, Marshall launched his groundbreaking album “A New Place 2 Drown” in the penultimate month of 2015. The album, released under his real name, showcased another side of his artistic prowess, diverging from the dark alternative/jazz sound of his previous work “6 Feet Beneath the Moon”, towards a hip-hop oriented palette. Throughout the album, Marshall masterfully incorporated submerged beats, woozy textures, and diaristic storytelling, cementing his place amongst the avant-garde musicians of his age.
Fast forward to 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of “A New Place 2 Drown”, a remastered instrumental edition of the album is now available. This transformed version presents a new perspective on the record’s sonic architecture, focusing primarily on Marshall’s exceptional capability to conceive intricate textures, rhythmic details, and atmospheric depth. These qualities among others, have enabled “A New Place 2 Drown” to persist as a cult favourite in the music industry, a testament to Marshall’s extraordinary flair for the craft.
Archy Marshall’s journey can be traced back to his Southwark, London birthplace, where his kinship to fellow South London musician Jacob Read, widely recognized as Jerkcurb, cultivated his passion for the musical arts. Encouraged by his parents to express his creativity, Marshall’s contributions to the realm of visual art is equally remarkable, with his pervasive aesthetic sensibility reflected in his meticulously crafted music videos and album arts. Add to this, his notable collaborations with a number of esteemed artists, including Jamie Isaac and Mount Kimble, further underlining the breadth of his artistic reach.
Over the years, Archy Marshall’s creative outputs have extended beyond his widely acknowledged pseudonym King Krule. Through his numerous ventures, including his Edgar the Beatmaker project and his collaborations with his brother Jack, he has manifested an array of identities across various projects. This versatility was particularly evident in his 2023 album “Space Heavy”, which explored new territory, further solidifying his distinguished status in the world of music.
Moreover, Marshall’s musical influences are varied, paying homage to the likes of Elvis Presley, Billy Bragg, and The Penguin Cafe Orchestra among others, fusing a broad array of genres and eras in his unique style. This diversity, supported by a deep exploration of personal experiences like mental health struggles and familial dynamics in his lyrics, has earned him high regard among his fans and critics alike.
In conclusion, Archy Marshall’s journey in music is a remarkable illustration of evolution and reinvention. From his debut as Zoo Kid in 2010 to the celebrated multi-talented artist known as King Krule, he has constantly redefined the boundaries of music through ambitious experiments in different genres and forms of expression. Today, looking back at his 2015 album “A New Place 2 Drown”, relaunched as a beautifully remastered instrumental edition, we can affirm that his artistic endeavors have forever left a mark on the music industry. Indeed, the album has become more than just a collection of songs, but a timeless classic that will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.
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