Rating: NNNN
The newest album by Son Lux (aka Ryan Lott) came about when NPR talked him into writing and recording an entire record from scratch during the station’s annual month-long RPM Challenge in February. But this doesn’t sound like a rush job. It’s one of the most creatively dense and sonically rich albums you’ll hear this year, which makes you wonder what the hell he’d get up to if he actually took his time.
You could call it experimental pop, but that doesn’t say much. There’s definitely a strong classical music influence, but also nods to cutting-edge electronic music, avant-garde hip-hop, country and folk. It doesn’t come across as a collage of contrasting ideas, but rather as an arresting cohesive sound all its own. Lott’s singing voice has a plaintive, frail quality that might sound precious over acoustic guitar. In this context, though, it’s the perfect foil to the muscular arrangements.
Top track: Leave The Riches
