The Age of Reason

Released in 2014, The Age of Reason represents a pivotal moment in Gramatik’s career, marking his first full-length release on his own Lowtemp label. This independence is reflected in the album's sprawling 15-track scope and its fearless blending of genres that were often kept separate. While his earlier 'Street Bangerz' series established him as a master of instrumental hip-hop, this album sees him fully embracing 'Bluestep' - a term he coined to describe the fusion of blues, soul, and heavy electronic production. The record features a wide array of collaborators, including Gibbz and Cherub, who help ground the electronic experimentation in traditional song structures. Critically, it was praised for its high production values and its role in the 'digital freedom' movement, as Gramatik famously released the album for free to challenge traditional industry models. It remains a cornerstone of the glitch-hop and electro-soul movements, bridging the gap between the Pretty Lights-style soul-sampling and the more aggressive sound design of the mid-2010s bass music scene.