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A. G. Cook

A. G. Cook

Alexander Guy Cook is a British music producer, singer and head of record label PC Music. Since its founding in August 2013, PC Music has represented 17 artists producing music within a similar genre and style.[3] Cook's dense, chaotic arrangements are distorted versions of mainstream pop music. He was named #12 in the Dazed 100 for "redefining style and youth culture in 2015 and beyond".[4] Cook is currently Charli XCX's Creative Director[5] and has executively produced her third studio album, Charli.

A. G. Cook
Background information
Birth nameAlexander Guy Cook[1]
Born(1990-08-23)23 August 1990[2]
OriginLondon, England, United Kingdom
GenresPop, electronic, dance
Occupation(s)Producer
Years active2011–present
LabelsPC Music
Associated actsHannah Diamond, Sophie, QT, GFOTY, Danny L Harle, Kane West, Charli XCX, Oneohtrix Point Never, Felicita
Websiteagcook.com [45]

Biography

Cook has worked on graphics for PC Music acts including easyFun and Maxo.

Cook has worked on graphics for PC Music acts including easyFun and Maxo.[1]

Sophie (left) and Cook (right) produced QT's single "Hey QT"

Sophie (left) and Cook (right) produced QT's single "Hey QT"

Cook, Born Alexander Guy Cook, is the son of architect Sir Peter Cook and Israeli architect Yael Reisner. Cook attended Goldsmiths, University of London, where he studied music.[6] There, he reconnected with Danny L Harle, with whom he had gone to school as a teen.[2] The two bonded over their shared musical tastes and interest in comedy duo Tim & Eric. This grew into a musical project called Dux Content.[7] Since they did not have a vocalist, Dux Content focused on musical experiments like compound metres and changes in tempo.[7] One of their earlier works was a collection of compositions for the Disklavier, released with Spencer Noble and Tim Phillips under the name "Dux Consort".[1]

Cook created Gamsonite, a "pseudo-label" collecting his early collaborations.[6] Dux Content released its songs with strange renderings of digital avatars for promotional artwork.[1] They contributed to the score for Alicia Norman's animated film Heart of Death and began considering a children's television show titled Dux Content's Jungle Jam. Cook and Harle explored how to build rhythms out of a vocalist's natural singing tempo and released the results as "Dux Kidz". The project was noticed by producer Sophie, who later worked with PC Music's acts.[7] Cook began working on building flashy websites with Hannah Diamond and decided to focus on using websites to promote music.[6] In August 2013, Cook founded PC Music as a way of embracing an A&R role, with the aim of "recording people who don't normally make music and treating them as if they're a major label artist."[2]

In January 2014, Cook released "Keri Baby" as his first solo single, with vocals by Diamond.[8] The track uses pop clichés and glitchy vocals to depict Diamond as a digital entity on a screen.[8][9] His follow-up single "Beautiful" was released in June. "Beautiful" is a pastiche of Eurodance, featuring high, pitch-shifted vocals and donk sounds.[10][11] Fact magazine called it PC Music's "de-facto anthem", and the song received a remix from Scottish producer Rustie.[12]

Cook worked with Sophie to produce a song for QT, a pop singer portrayed by American performance artist Hayden Dunham.[13] She found Cook through his work online and wanted to use a song to market a QT energy drink.[14] Their resulting collaboration "Hey QT" was released in August 2014 on XL Recordings.[15]

On 22 December 2014, A. G. Cook released "What I Mean" from his "Personal Computer Music" mix as a single. The single was made available as a free download via radio presenter Annie Mac's "Free Music Monday" SoundCloud channel.[16] Opening with muffled dialogue, the song incorporates robotic vocals and a sample of R&B artist Chuckii Booker.[17] Its organ-based arrangement was a more soulful take on Cook's usual style of dance-pop.[17][18] After discussing a collaboration on a Charli XCX album,[19] Cook contributed an official remix of her single "Doing It" featuring Rita Ora.[20]

Cook's work received recognition on year-end lists for 2014. "Keri Baby" was listed at number 5 of Dummy magazine's "20 Best Tracks of 2014",[21] and Buzzfeed's "13 Obscure Tracks of 2014",[22] number 1 on Gorilla vs. Bear's, "Favourite Tracks of 2014",[23] number 2 on Dazed & Confused's "Top 20 Tracks of 2014".[9] Pitchfork Media ranked "Beautiful" number 30 on its list of "The 100 Best Tracks of 2014".[10]

March 2015 saw Cook's PC Music head to the USA to showcase all 11 of his label's talent at the Empire Garage in Austin, Texas as part of SXSW. The showcase received positive reviews, with The Guardian saying "AG Cook's entire thundering set [shows] this is a label refusing to be confined by definitions of genre or good taste."[24] On 8 May 2015, Cook performed as part of a PC Music show at BRIC House in Brooklyn, New York as part of the Red Bull Music Academy Festival. The show was billed as the premiere of Pop Cube, "a multimedia reality network".[25]

"Superstar," Cook's fifth single, was released via PC Music on 13 July 2016.[26] On the day of its release, Cook revealed via Twitter that "Superstar" had been in the works for over two years prior, originally beginning as a "topline pitch" for electro house DJ Zedd.[27]

In April 2016, experimental music producer Oneohtrix Point Never posted a cryptic video to his Instagram that appeared to show Cook working on a remix of "Sticky Drama," a single from his 2015 album Garden of Delete.[28] The remix was later surprise-released on 16 December 2016.[29][30]

In March 2017, Charli XCX's mixtape Number 1 Angel was released, prominently featuring production by Cook and others, including PC Music artists and affiliates SOPHIE, Danny L Harle, Life Sim, and EASYFUN, who created the project EasyFX with Cook.[31][32] This was followed by the mixtape Pop 2, also featuring production by Cook and others. Pitchfork Media gave Pop 2 a rating of 8.4 out of 10, calling it "a vision of what pop music could be" and "the best full-length work of both Charli and PC Music’s respective careers".[33]

In November 2018, A. G. Cook contributed to Tommy Cash's second studio album ¥€$. Cook is credited as the producer on 5 tracks on the record, including lead single "X-RAY" which he co-produced with Danny L Harle.

Cook is the co-executive producer for Charli XCX's third studio album Charli, which was released on the 13th of September 2019. Cook has produced six of the album's seven singles, including Gone, the third single from the album, which features Christine and the Queens. The song was awarded "Best New Track" by Pitchfork [34] and best song of the week by Stereogum. [35]

Artistry

Cook's style of music amplifies the clichés of mainstream pop music from the 1990s and 2000s.[4] He follows the work of "mega-producers" such as Max Martin and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[2] Cook references Scritti Politti's album Cupid & Psyche 85 for its "conscious decision to take pop music and make it as shiny and detailed as possible".[37] He cites Korean and Japanese pop music as influences, as well as gyaru subculture.[2]

Cook begins constructing tracks by constructing chords and melodies note by note.[2] He prefers the sounds of virtual instruments and avoids sound design early in the process, giving his music a deadpan simplicity. He experiments with combining dissonant sounds, and the resulting dense, multi-layered arrangements are influenced by the black MIDI techniques.[1][2] Cook's arrangements are inspired by the mechanized music of composer Conlon Nancarrow.[38] When collaborating with other artists, he prepares an extensive demo so that they can complete lyrics and record vocals straight away. Cook thoroughly processes the vocals, chopping them to use as a rhythmic element atop the melody.[2]

In contrast to most of the artists on PC Music, Cook wears plain clothing.[39] GFOTY jokingly characterised his style as normcore.[40]

Discography

Extended plays

YearTitleRelease dateLabel
2013Nu Jack SwungJul 31, 2013PC Music

Singles

YearTitleRelease dateLabel
2014"Keri Baby" (featuring Hannah Diamond)Jan 14, 2014PC Music
"Beautiful"Jun 4, 2014
"What I Mean"Dec 23, 2014Annie Mac Presents
2015"Drop FM" (featuring Hannah Diamond)Feb 19, 2015PC Music
2016"Superstar"Jul 13, 2016
2017"Money On A Gold Plate / Cos I Love U"May 16, 2017
2019"Lifeline"Aug 28, 2019

Other tracks

YearTitleRelease dateLabel
2013"My Miss 2.0 [Christmas 2.0]"Dec 19, 2014Priz Tats
2014"HAD 1" (Club Mix)Feb 4, 2014Folie Douce
"Bubs" (with Oneohtrix Point Never)Dec 18, 2014
2017"Windowlicker" (Aphex Twin cover)Jul 28, 2017

Songwriting and production credits

TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumCreditsWritten withProduced with
"Less Love More Sex"2013Princess BambiNon-album singleProducer
"Pink and Blue"Hannah Diamond
"Hey QT"2014QTCo-writer/ProducerHayden Dunham, Sophie XeonSOPHIE
"Attachment"Hannah DiamondProducer
"Every Night"
"Hi"2015Co-writer/ProducerHannah Diamond
"爱有引力 (Real Love)"Li YuchunReal Love / Only You EPLi Yuchun
"混蛋,我想你 (Only You)"Li Yuchun
"I Like It"2016Tempura KidzNon-album singleSarah Bonito, Finn KeaneEasyFun
"Fade Away"Hannah DiamondHannah Diamond, Finn KeaneEasyFun
"Make Believe"Producer
EasyFun
"Paradise"
(featuring Hannah Diamond)
Charli XCXVroom Vroom EPCo-writerCharlotte Aitchison, Martin Stilling, Jonnali Parmenius, Sophie Xeon
"After the Afterparty"
(featuring Lil Yachty)
Non-album singleVocal ProducerStarGate, FRED, SOPHIE
"Dreamer"
(featuring Starrah & RAYE)
2017Number 1 AngelCo-writer/ProducerCharlotte Aitchison, Rachel Keen, Brittany Hazzard
"3AM (Pull Up)"
(featuring MØ)
Co-writerCharlotte Aitchison, Karen Marie Ørsted
"Blame It On U"Co-writer/ProducerCharlotte Aitchison, Jonnali Parmenius
"White Roses"Producer
"Drugs"
(featuring ABRA)
Co-writer/ProducerCharlotte Aitchison, Abra
"Lipgloss"
(featuring Cupcakke)
Charlotte Aitchison, Elizabeth HarrisLife Sim, SOPHIE
"Dirty Sexy Money"
(with Afrojack featuring Charli XCX
& French Montana)
David Guetta7Co-writerPierre Guetta, Nick van de Wall, Charlotte Aitchison, Karim Kharbouch, Jonnali Parmenius
"Out of My Head"
(featuring Tove Lo & Alma)
Charli XCXPop 2Co-writer/ProducerCharlotte Aitchison, Ebba Tove Nilsson, Alma-Sofia Miettinen, Sophie XeonSOPHIE
"Unlock It"
(featuring Kim Petras & Jay Park)
Charlotte Aitchison, Park Jae-beom, Kim PetrasLife Sim
"Backseat"
(featuring Carly Rae Jepsen)
Charlotte Aitchison, Carly Rae Jepsen, Finn KeaneEasyFun
"Lucky"Charlotte AitchisonÖ
"Tears"
(featuring Caroline Polachek)
Charlotte Aitchison, Caroline Polachek
"I Got It"
(featuring Brooke Candy, Cupcakke
& Pabllo Vittar)
Charlotte Aitchison, Jesse Shatkin, Rodrigo Gorky, Pablo Bispo, Brooke Candy, Jesse St. John, Elizabeth Harris, Arthur MarquesUmru
"Femmebot"
(featuring Dorian Electra & Mykki Blanco)
Charlotte Aitchison, David Gamson, Fransisca Hall, Michael Quattlebaum Jr., Finn KeaneEasyFun, David Gamson
"Delicious"
(featuring Tommy Cash)
Charlotte Aitchison, Tommy Cash
"Porsche"
(featuring MØ)
Charlotte Aitchison, Henry Allen, Karen Marie Ørsted, Cassia O'ReillyKing Henry, EasyFun
"Track 10"Charlotte Aitchison, Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Noonie Bao, Sasha YatchenkoLife Sim, Lil Data
"Mood"2018Charlie HansonNon-album singleCharlie Hanson, Brett McLaughlin
"Focus"Charli XCXCharlotte Aitchison, Jakob Hazell, Svante Halldin
"True"Hannah DiamondReflectionsProducer
"Mona Lisa"
(featuring Rick Owens)
Tommy Cash¥€$
"Horse B4 Porsche"
"Dostoyevsky"
"Cool 3D World"
"Quake"2019Alaska ReidNon-album singleCo-writer/ProducerAlaska Reid
"Blame It on Your Love"Charli XCXCharliAdditional producer
Stargate, EasyFun
"Gone"
(with Christine and the Queens)
Producer
Lotus IV, O, Baseck
"Ocean of Tears"Caroline PolachekPangAdditional Producer
Caroline Polachek, Danny L Harle, Valley Girl
"Cross You Out"
(featuring Sky Ferreira)
Charli XCXCharliCo-writer/ProducerCharlotte Aitchison, Jonnali Parmenius, Linus WiklundLotus IV
"Warm"
(featuring Haim)
Charlotte Aitchison, Danielle Haim, Alana Haim, Este Haim
"February 2017"
(featuring Yaeji & Clairo)
ProducerCharli XCX, Yaeji, ClairoPlanet 1999
"2099"
(featuring Troye Sivan)
Charli XCX, Troye SivanNömak

Remixes

2013Dreamtrak"Odyssey, Pt. 2" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2013Karmelloz"B. M. W." (A. G. Cook Refix)
2013DJ DJ Booth"Heaven" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2013Yola Fatoush"Skeleton" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2014Zinc"Show Me" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2014How to Dress Well"Repeat Pleasure" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2015Charli XCX feat. Rita Ora"Doing It" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2015Yelle"Moteur Action" (Sophie & A. G. Cook Remix)
2016Oneohtrix Point Never"Sticky Drama" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2017Danny L Harle"Me4U" (A. G. Cook Remix)
2018Phoenix"Fior Di Latte" (A. G. Cook Remix)

Mixes

2012"ILLAMASQUA 彩る MIX BY A. G. COOK"Logo Magazine
2013"CON/HAL x LOGO MIX BY A. G. COOK"Logo Magazine
2013"Radio Tank Mix: A. G. Cook"Tank Magazine
2013"Personal Computer Music"DIS Magazine
2013"A. G. COOK / CC MIX"Creamcake
2014"LUCKYME x RINSE 32 (ft A. G. COOK)"LuckyMe Records
2014"PC Music x DISown Radio
(ft. A. G. Cook, GFOTY, Danny L Harle, Lil Data,
Nu New Edition and Kane West)"
PC Music
2015"A. G. Cook Boiler Room SXSW Mix"Dailymotion x RayBan
2018"A. G. Cook - Hollywood Ambient"NTS Radio Liminal Takeover

References

[1]
Citation Linkpitchfork.comSherburne, Philip (17 September 2014). "PC Music's Twisted Electronic Pop: A User's Manual". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[2]
Citation Linktankmagazine.comGolsorkhi-Ainslie, Sohrab (25 August 2013). "Radio Tank Mix: A. G. Cook". Tank. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comJones, Charlie Robin (11 September 2014). "PC Music's digital dreams". Dazed & Confused. 4: 178–183.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comCliff, Aimee (2014). "Dazed 100". Dazed. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.idolator.com"Charli XCX Hired PC Music Founder A.G. Cook As Her Creative Director". idolator. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[6]
Citation Linkdiymag.comHunt, El (11 June 2014). "Inside the hard drive of PC Music". DIY. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.dummymag.comBulut, Selim (24 February 2015). "Next: Danny L Harle". Dummy. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.theawl.comCliff, Aimee (21 November 2014). "PC Music Forever". The Awl. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comCliff, Aimee (12 December 2014). "The top 20 tracks of 2014". Dazed. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[10]
Citation Linkpitchfork.comRyce, Andrew (15 December 2014). "The 100 Best Tracks of 2014". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.stereogum.comBowe, Miles (4 June 2014). "A. G. Cook – 'Beautiful'". Stereogum. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.factmag.com"Rustie's remix of A. G. Cook has the drop to end all drops". Fact. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comTaylor, Trey (16 December 2014). "Is QT the musical S1m0ne?". Dazed & Confused. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.factmag.comLea, Tom (9 September 2014). "Hey QT! An interview with 2014's most love-her-or-hate-her pop star". Fact. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[15]
Citation Linkpitchfork.com"Sophie and A. G. Cook are QT Announce Debut Single Hey QT". Pitchfork Media. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.factmag.com"PC Music boss A. G. Cook shares 'What I Mean' – grab a free download". Fact. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.spin.comBrodsky, Rachel (22 December 2014). "Stream A.G. Cook's Tweaked-Out New Single, 'What I Mean'". Spin. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[18]
Citation Linkdiymag.comConnick, Tom (28 December 2014). "PC Music's A.G. Cook Shares New Track 'What I Mean'". DIY. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.dazeddigital.comMyers, Owen (10 December 2015). "Charli XCX: suck my left one". Dazed. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.ew.comRaymer, Miles (23 January 2015). "Hyperpop scene-maker A. G. Cook remixes Charli XCX and Rita Ora's 'Doing It'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:52 AM