This debut album is something out of my dreams, I swear. This is like a cross between Beach House and Early Last Dinosaurs slow jams almost? It's really hard to compare it to anything because it really is so unique. With the second half of Yumeno Garden, followed by this, I think we can agree that 2019 is Lachlan Caskey's year.
Opening up with the dreamiest dream pop intro, "Keeping Quiet In Plain Sight" sets the tone for this masterpiece of an album. Lyricism on this album compliments the instrumentals ever so perfectly creating an effect that can transport you into a whole new mindset and atmosphere. It feels like you're in another dimension (for me at least). This album is full of lyrics that are just things you need to hear. The line "I'm done being hard on myself" for me, is the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the ride.
I'm usually not a fan of heavy edited vocals, however, in this case, I think it the audio effects really tie the album together. From subtle things like panning to distortion and auto-tune, this album demonstrates a perfect use of all of it. Songs like "Krizia" tell a relatable story for both ends of the song, and it's not your classic relatable pop song, this is something hard to explain, but if I had to I'd compare it to a warm hug and a pat on the back. The song feels like it just understands you, and it comforts you too, this is like, audible hot chocolate.
Away from the phenomenal lyricism, instrumentals on this album go through all the motions possible. From a perception of somewhat floating, to an out of body experience that feels like your mind is just on its own little adventure, to just bedroom-danceable, a term I made up to define something you wanna dance to in your room, alone, possibly while jumping around on your bed like a ten-year-old. Things like the instrumental to "Genus" and
"The "Shallow" Theme" are good examples of this. This album will set free the deepest thoughts in mind, all while not feeling one ounce of depression or sadness throughout, it's just a big mood. I swear to god this is audible, guilt-free, hot chocolate on a chilled out Sunday night. "The Clearest Vision" gives us a more raw alternate rendition of "Non So Lo" (Off of Yumeno Garden) which is very cool and refreshing. I could go on, but then this would turn into a track by track review, so go give it a listen instead of reading what I think about it.
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