Aa

Released in 2016, Aa (pronounced 'Double A') served as Baauer's debut full-length statement, arriving long after the viral storm of 'Harlem Shake' had subsided. The album represents a significant artistic maturation, moving away from meme-ready loops toward a complex, globalized sound palette. Baauer famously traveled the world to record unique foley sounds - ranging from desert winds to urban construction - which give the album a grit and organic texture rarely found in digital bass music. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the album's ability to transcend the 'trap' label by incorporating elements of grime, UK garage, and avant-garde electronica. The record is notable for its high-profile collaborations, which are integrated seamlessly into Baauer's maximalist vision rather than feeling like tacked-on features. It stands as a landmark of the mid-2010s electronic landscape, proving that the bass music movement could sustain a cohesive, long-form narrative.