Album Preview: Gym Class Heroes Invite Patrick Stump, Busta Rhymes to Party Under “The Quilt”
When Rolling Stone caught up with Gym Class Heroes earlier this year, the band dished about collaborations with Daryl Hall and Busta Rhymes for the upcoming The Quilt. It’s an eclectic roster, but as the preview we heard yesterday proves, Gym Class Heroes are capable of casting a wide net and still making songs that have their own personal stamp on them.
The Quilt kicks off with the energetic “I’m Innocent,” featuring “American Boy” songstress Estelle and production help from Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, who worked on seven of the album’s tracks. Stump’s retro R&B finesse shines on “Blinded By the Sun,” which finds Travis McCoy’s raps taking on a reggae tone and Stump slipping in some vocal work for an updated take on Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night.”
“Peace Sign/Index Down” kicks off with mild piano under McCoy’s rhymes but builds into an agressive chant to “put up your peace sign, put your index down” — while McCoy hits hard, he’s no match for Busta, who warns listeners “if you ever get in my way, you know you’re done, son.” Hall shows up on “Fly With Me” for a haunting homage to McCoys cousin, who committed suicide last year. The Quilt doesn’t hit stores until September, but “Peace Sign/Index Down” and “Blinded By the Sun” are available on an iTunes EP now.