Maps Flips Lost in Stars’ “Once You Were Fire (for the Spaceape)” From Gritty Dirge to Ethereal Elegy

In 2014, the Hyperdub family and music world lost two of its most promising talents, Chicago footwork pioneer DJ Rashad and UK poet/MC the Spaceape (Stephen Gordon). Among the music released in their memories since is L.A. composer and poet Lost in Stars’ “Once You Were Fire (for the Spaceape),” featuring Kid Moxie. Moxie, who has worked with Angelo Badalamenti, brings fittingly haunting vocals to the rattling, skittering bass.

Fellow composer and producer Maps (James Chapman) has stated previously, “I like records that take me on some kind of journey—music that makes me forget about everything else and that I can lose myself in.” On his remix of “Once You Were Fire,” it is easy to get lost in lush atmospherics and stark grandeur as the Mercury Prize nominee flips the gritty dirge into an ethereal elegy. Maps has also previously remixed Kid Moxie and knows just how to open up the track and drop her vocals over his expansive rework. “Once you were fire, but the fire’s gone. But does the fire ever die?” she muses. We should all be so lucky to receive such loving and creative tributes when our time comes.

Available now via Dark Sky Covenant.
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