Macintosh Plus, also known as "リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー" (Lisa Frank 420 / Modern Computing) in Japanese characters, is an iconic track by the electronic musician Ramona Xavier, who is also known by her stage name "Vektroid." Here are some interesting facts about Macintosh Plus and its significance:
Vaporwave Anthem: Macintosh Plus - "リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー" is often considered one of the defining tracks of the vaporwave genre. Vaporwave is a genre of electronic music known for its heavy use of samples from 1980s and 1990s music, advertisements, and corporate muzak.
Sampled Material: The track heavily samples Diana Ross's song "It's Your Move," specifically the instrumental and vocal segments. This sampling technique is a hallmark of vaporwave music, as it repurposes and recontextualizes existing music.
Album: Macintosh Plus released the track as part of the album "Floral Shoppe" in December 2011. This album played a pivotal role in popularizing vaporwave as a genre.
Aesthetic Influence: The cover art for "Floral Shoppe," featuring an image of a mall, has become an iconic representation of vaporwave aesthetics. It symbolizes a sense of nostalgia for consumer culture of the 1980s and early 1990s.
Internet Culture: The track and the vaporwave genre are closely associated with internet culture and the concept of "nostalgia for a time you never lived through." It has gained a cult following online and has been the subject of memes and remixes.
Impact on Music: Macintosh Plus's work has had a significant influence on modern electronic and experimental music. It pushed boundaries by challenging traditional notions of composition and genre.
Subgenres: The popularity of Macintosh Plus and vaporwave led to the emergence of various subgenres, such as "future funk" and "mallsoft," each with its own distinct style and approach to sampling.
Remixes and Variations: Due to its popularity, "リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー" has been remixed and reinterpreted by countless artists and producers. This has contributed to its enduring presence in the music scene.
Copyright Issues: Vaporwave, including Macintosh Plus's work, has been controversial due to its heavy reliance on copyrighted material. This has led to legal challenges and takedowns of certain albums and tracks.
Macintosh Plus's "リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー" is a seminal piece of music that has left a lasting impact on both the music industry and internet culture, helping to shape the sound and aesthetics of the vaporwave genre.