"Beautiful" is a song recorded by the English producer A. G. Cook. It was released on 4 June 2014 through PC Music. It later appeared on PC Music's compilation album PC Music Volume 1 (2015). In December 2014, Rustie released a remix of the song. In 2023, A. G. Cook released an edit of the song.
Cook said that "Beautiful" is "quite a chaotic, stream of consciousness track, tying together a bunch of styles and references using a very straightforward vocal hook". He said the song "[plays]" with the balance of songwriting and production and sort of destabilising that balance or not taking the art form too seriously".
It was named one of the best tracks of the year by Pitchfork and Fact. Tiny Mix Tapes named it one of the best songs of the decade. NME named it one of PC Music's essential tracks. The Forty-Five Sophie Walker named it the 23rd best hyperpop song of all time.
In 2020, Cook released the song "Beautiful Superstar" as a single from his second studio album Apple; the song title is a reference to "Beautiful" and his 2016 single "Superstar".
References