What are we t a l k i n g a b o u t ?
Lowlight 2 by Strawberry Station is a cross-genre stroll through a field of audio nostalgia. It was recently released on cassette tape through the highly eclectic vaporwave label Business Casual (only a few left ATM!). From synthpop to nu disco to plunderphonics, this album definitely takes you on a trip through a variety of spunky subgenres.
Strawberry Station is a future-funk project that takes inspiration from some of the classics such at Saint Pepsi and other FF veterans. More recently they have been heavily influenced by the likes of Mr. Wax and Snowdream to incorporate more aspects of house and electronica.
Lowlight 2 was a pandemic creation for SS. The decision to go in a more synthpop direction was made from the beginning by SS. They decided future funk simply was not their musical language of choice to convey the effect lockdown had on them. This brought about a more introspective approach for Lowlight 2.
The LP was made in FL Studio and is about 95% sample-free (with the exception of a few dialogue clips from an Anime called Kodocha).
The most unique aspect of Strawberry Station's latest release is the inclusion of (drum roll) lyrics. The lyrics make this album a very unique and reflective one. The inclusion of lyrics helped to bring out the feelings of isolation, FOMO...as well as more positive messages: acceptance, hope and a positive outlook for the funky future.
(((p l a y BY p l a y)))
We start out with the opening song Stay Strong. We begin...floating through plucky polysynths, cheeky cartoon quotes and bubbling pads. This blanket of sound drops us in a key I was not expecting. We get a sense of momentum...and it just sounds like someone is...breaking the rules. :)
Then come the vocals...such a welcomed entity in this style of music. SS builds a superb wall of vocal harmony (sometimes using other-worldly parallel motion). The vocal intricacies really are the icing on the cake for this tune. It gives us, the listener, a clear picture of what we can expect for the rest of the album.
Next up is Comeback Kid. And I can't help but hear, "Harder, better, faster...stronger." The Daft Punk roots are incredibly clear with this tune. Auto-tuned harmonies painted with a nice, springy reverb bounce around in the sonic space like frogs exchanging lily pads.
The two words that come to mind are: virtual reality. It feels like we're dancing inside a computer. The computer runs MS-DOS. Also, that bitcrushed drum really brings the whole "computerized" vibe to life.
Following Comeback Kid is Bright Side. We start off with a swirling stratocaster loop followed by some straight ahead hi-hats and a kick and snare to simulate a cut time vibe for a total of 5 seconds before all percussion is stripped away and we are reintroduced to SS' angelic vocals.
What is really driving about this song is the mantra, "Look on the bright side." We'll hear more of this later. There's good ol' SS nudging us on the arm and reminding us of those rose colored glasses musicians threw on back in the roaring twenties...those glasses that help us see the silver lining. Yes, you CAN make gin in your bathtub!
Stay With Me throws a blanket of pads over us and lights up the fireplace. The billowing white noise crashes and fades away. Around 30 seconds in, we hear remnants of that cheeky anime dialogue from before. Quarter notes pulse around like frantic fireflies. A collage of serene voices paint hypnotic pictures in our minds.
The spoken word section in this piece is truly magical.
Filling The Gaps is the the shortest tune on the album. It quite literally fills the gaps, providing a moment of preparation before our big interlude. SS pulls off a few musical magic tricks in this short ditty, shortening a few 4/4 bars into 2/4 bars.
The true interlude on the album is entitled Things You Can't Fix. Some rugged bass and some room reverberated rhythm guitar battles with hand drums and some more high-energy Anime quotes.
"There's no point worrying about the things you can't fix!"
My Oh My is my favorite track on the album. The stereo spread on those introductory guitars is huge. Throw those drums down the middle, and there's a dance party in my air pods! When those vocals come swooping in, I get vague hints of Owl City mixed with Motion City Soundtrack and New Found Glory. I see Carson Daly hosting TRL. I see pop punk band guitarist number 3 spinning around to their delight as much as the strap locks allow.
The SYNTH SOLO on this track is stellar.
Yes, No, Maybe comes flying in with some in and out-of-tune arps and some more happy-go-lucky dialogue. This tune also features a very enjoyable little chiptune solo that I find just lovely.
At the drop of this tune, we see the lights go out on a million ravers and nothing but glowsticks bouncing around on bodies. Waves of harmony fill the room as the song fades back to that initial in and out-of tune arpeggio.
Next up is See the Sunrise. This is a collaborative track with Phaun. What we get is a near Celtic jig vibe that continues throughout the entirety of the song. It honestly sounds like a reel is playing through MIDI patches. It's like nothing I've heard before. The kick and snare is nice and snappy. When we hit the chorus, we hear hints of Depeche Mode. SS and Phaun have done a fantastic job incorporating a vast mix of artists into their collaborative creation.
Another killer solo on what sounds like a Moog, pitch bend and all...so great.
We are approaching the end as Peace begins. Twinkling piano keys, stringy pads...in come the vocals.
I'm at peace...in my mind.
An Imogen Heap style vocal wall is mixed with reggae-ton style fills and a super funky drum beat.
SS ends the album with the tune Bright Side (Reprieve). 3-part harmony is a beautiful addition to our big finale. Vocals begin to ping-pong off each other as they appear to melt away.
The lyrical mantra to end the album:
We can't erase our past. It's a losing game.
So transparently positive; something the world needs right now.
B O T T O M L I N E . E X E
Lowlight 2 by Strawberry Station is an optimistic, endearing nu disco/synth pop opus that is most definitely worth a listen or five.
C:\Where?
The LP was released by Business Casual virtually as well as on cassette (not many left!). You can purchase the album at (https://music.businesscasual.biz/album/lowlight-2).
There’s M O R E!
No comments:
Post a Comment