On ‘You Can Only Hear Part of It,’ producer, emcee, and keyboardist Garfunkle encourages listeners to use more than their hearing when experiencing his new album. On the one hand, the title is meant to be taken literally: the album is accompanied by an abstract painting by Old Grape God a.k.a. Tron 444, alongside a video with art tirelessly animated by Garfunkle himself for the track “Elsewhere,” extending the project from the music into the visual space. On the other hand, the beat wizard invites listeners to be indulged by his abstract instrumentals, while realizing that all the life experiences that shape such sonic works of art cannot be underemphasized.

"The way this came to be is my fucking life. I have lived and made these decisions, at this point, to be this person," Garfunkle explains. “At some level, I put myself into the bassline—there is an art of living, whether it’s playing the keys, making a drawing, or even just making dinner. This is one branch off that tree.’’

Inspired by the presently blossoming and forever experimental indie hip-hop scene, ‘You Can Only Hear Part of It’ turns influences of sampled drum breaks and the free, improvisational spirit of jazz into 44 minutes of steady beats and harmonious organ and Rhodes synths. At times, this is broken up with gripping basslines, impressionistic ambient noises, and playful sound recordings. Some sounds are taken directly from his everyday experience, such as the main sample on "Cake": he recorded that by spinning the pastry stand of his sister-in-law and hitting that with some chopsticks.

His passion for hip-hop is further exemplified by four dedicated tributes on this album; to Madvillain/Madlib, Black Star/Shawn J. Period, Aesop Rock/Blockhead, and R.A.P. Ferreira/scallops hotel.

Similarly to the way he approached his previous tributes to "Sun Choke" by Small Bills (The Lasso & ELUCID ft. Fielded) and ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’ by The Roots, Garfunkle strips the songs down to their bare essentials, leaving room to assign his musical vision around it. The results are carefully crafted homages, that remain true to his own artistic, original spirit—fueled by beats, breaks, keys, and life experiences. Listen closely, because you can only hear part of that.

—Boaz Nieuwenhuijsen