The vocal chain used to bring Cole's thoughts to life was a Neumann U 87 microphone into a Neve 1073 preamp and Universal Audio 1176 compressor.

in the decadent Hollywood Hills with a studio in the back. Cole's new Off Season documentary.Ĭole and Mez recorded most of 2014 Forest Hills Drive at Perfect Sound Studios, an all-inclusive artistic retreat at a home overlooking L.A. Speaking with Reverb, the multi-platinum engineer discusses how 2014 Forest Hills Drive changed the way Cole makes music and the tricks he used to make Cole's grand sonic vision palatable to listeners. We were more seasoned and conscious of what we wanted out of every song,' Mez says.

'We were more certain on the sound we wanted. One of the main people responsible for that shift is Juro 'Mez' Davis, Cole's engineer for more than 13 years, and he intimately knows what makes 2014 Forest Hills Drive special. After 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole's releases are rarer and more valuable with each centered around grand concepts like societal addictions ( K.O.D.) and cinematic retelling of dead father's album to his child ( 4 Your Eyez Only).

Cole's impressive music career can be divided into two categories: Before 2014 Forest Hills Drive and After 2014 Forest Hills Drive.īefore the release of his third studio album, the North Carolina lyricist was a relative newcomer to the music scene dabbling in R&B love songs ('Power Trip'), reimagining pop hits ('Work Out'), and relentless lyricism ('Dollar and a Dream III') while establishing his unique sound. Photo by: Tabatha Fireman / Stringer, Getty Images.

J cole 2014 forest hills drive live