The backstory for this feels like it requires a spin in a time machine, even though not all that much time has passed. Apparently the late Virgil Abloh dropped by an Aathee Records release party at Gramaphone in Chicago a few years back, heard a track being played and asked if he could have a copy. Over time he asked for more music and offered some encouragement, and Virgil played one out of the shrink wrap long before it was released at a gig in Kyiv, about a half year before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Late Arrival (Life of the Party)” was also featured on one of Abloh’s Worldwide FM mixes two months before he passed away on November 28 2021 after battling a rare form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma.
It feels like this all happened decades ago, but after two years “Late Arrival” was finally released. It’s easy to hear what Abloh liked about it. It’s a dubby, stripped-down track of the sort that DJs need in an abundant and steady supply. The vocal hook is the whole thing: rising and falling and it always doubles back. Virgil’s encouraging words to a group of young producers stands out as well as the track: for every encounter that made you wonder if you should ever meet your heroes, the memory of Virgil’s kindness proves there are still some exceptions.
⚪️ Late Arrival Tracklisting
Aathee: Late Arrival (Life of the Party) (Aathee Records / Digital)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement
This record was submitted as a promo.
⚪️ Previous Coverage
⚪️ Features: Discograph: Aathee Records (2018)
⚪️ New Music: Chicago’s Aathee releases the blazed “Pull Up” from Hopscotch (2023)
⚪️ New Music: Happyghost: Ishy Really Bad (2021)
⚪️ Chicago’s Aathee Records Celebrates Two Years (2019)
5 Mag Issue 212
Out April 2024
BELOVED: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #212 featuring an oral history of Freerange, DJ Paulette, Black Sjuan, Elbert Phillips, Dark Heaven and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right away!
