Listen To Mike Shinoda's New Album, Dropped Frames, Vol. 1

Given his huge platform and constant interaction with fans via Twitch, it's no surprise that Mike Shinoda decided to cleverly incorporate the streaming platform for the live creation of his new album, Dropped Frames, Vol. 1.

The record – which is mostly instrumental, and follows up 2018's excellent Post Traumatic solo debut – was made as the world went into lockdown, with the Linkin Park man calling on his dedicated fanbase to help provide him with thoughts and cover ideas, and in the case of the album opener Open Door, even their vocals.

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“Dropped Frames is just as much about the live channel as it is about the ‘album’,” Mike explains. “The collection of songs is a highlight reel of the tracks I make on the channel, but a big part of the experience is the stream itself. When I start, I usually have very little idea of where it will go. What comes out is a product of the viewers’ suggestions, my spur-of-the-moment ideas, and whatever inexplicable magic is floating in between.”

Telling NME about his fans' contributions in particular, Mike reveals: “We came up with a way to do fan recommendations where they challenge me. They earn points through watching the channel, then they can redeem them with things like choosing the style of the song from what we call The Bowl Of Destiny. I’ll pick out more than one style, like mashing up a Red Hot Chili Peppers-style song, a Prince/Morris Day And The Time-style song, and the sound of a wombat. Or something crazy like Final Fantasy style video game music, mixed with horror hip-hop, Mariachi and N-Sync early ’00s pop.”

Listen to Dropped Frames, Vol. 1 below:

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