Free Sweatpants

Free Sweatpants is the eighth studio album from prolific sample heavy NY based producer Blockhead. It was released under Backwoodz Studioz in 2019, and includes singles like Slippery Slope, as well as Kiss The Cook the latter of which features his most collaborative artist Aesop Rock. Along with Aes this project features a myriad of underground rappers such as Open Mike Eagle, Billy Woods, Breeze Brewin from the collective Juggaknots, Homeboy Sandman, The rap collective Armand Hammer and a few others. The features are important in Blockheads evolution, because the majority of his previous albums were featureless and instrumental based, and while there are still some instrumental only tracks such as Weeping Willow most of the songs contain vocals whether its from the aforementioned rap artists, or from re-worked vocal samples from 60’s and 70’s soul musicians that work the same as if they were original lyrics.

On the Backwoodz studios website this album is described as such:

There is the Blockhead that has been a fixture of the electronic music scene for more than since his 2004 Ninja Tune debut Music By Cavelight; putting out a string of critically acclaimed albums and touring with everyone from Diplo to Amon Tobin and Kid Koala.
Then there is the rap producer Blockhead, whose collaborations with Aesop Rock-Labor Days, None Shall Pass– are part of indie hip-hop canon. The veteran who collaborated with luminaries like Cage, Illogic and Blueprint but also made memorable records with then little-known artists like Despot and billy woods early in their careers.
Free Sweatpants is the first time the two Blockhead’s connect, in what is really the most appropriate form. A mixtape-esque album that pairs his narrative-driven solo aesthetic with a team of rappers that thrive in Blockhead’s layered, melodic sound.

The album was made available for download on January 17th 2019 on the Backwoodz Studioz website.

An instrumental only version was released on Blockheads Bandcamp on June of 2019, that includes two bonus tracks along with full verses, All Through The House contains lyrics from Billy Woods and Curly Castro as well as a remix of Kiss The Cook from rising electronic artist Televangel that includes a verse from Billy Woods alongside Aesop Rocks verse from the original song.