LapaluxNostalchic
Brainfeeder / Inertia

- 25 year old British electronic producer Stuart Howard has been building a little momentum of late, releasing two EPs under the Lapalux moniker that somehow found their way to my ears last year. 2012 was the year of many things, but I'll remember it partly for being year that downer bedroom electronic r'n'b threatened to make it big, but kind of ran out of momentum- as two (at the time) personal favourites, The Weeknd and How To Dress Well, both released well-received, relatively hyped records that both failed to really linger with me for long.

Luckily for all involved, Howard's releases thus far have been more upbeat and uplifting than many of his contemporaries, electronic r'n'b with a bite. For this reason I wasn't totally drained of interest when full length proper Nostalchic materialised, and with expectations not being super high I was ready and open to feeling good.

Nostalchic starts off running, with early cuts such as 'Guuurl', 'Kelly Brook' and 'Flower' being all melodic, hectic and enthralling pieces of music. Beautiful and vibrant electronic beats are infused with chopped up vocals, drums machines and head-scratching samples. Album highlight 'Swallowing Smoke' is perhaps the best overall example of Lapalux nailing every element, the track a slow burn example of his lush take on not-so-minimal house.

'Without You' proves that Howard can successfully change down a couple of gears and still keep things interesting, which helps, especially after the barrage of controlled chaos throughout the first half of the record, most of the tracks to that point threatening to self-destruct. The small respite allowed me to take a deep breath or two and compose myself, holding my own tiny hand as the track and, assumably the record as a whole, got its gear together again, pulsating and bursting with life.

Apparently not one for want of making things easy, Nostalchic quickly fades again into a near docile slumber, the whole second half of the record providing just a few limp kicks as the pumping beats give way to sombre melancholia. Suddenly the bright lights fade down to the bleak glare of day - one that might just be a bit too real for this reviewer.

Despite this sounding a rather harsh criticism, that second half of the record is still an enjoyable enough romp, its just a rather jarring comedown after those larger than life beginnings. The only way I can see this album truly connecting would be on wax, with each side the soundtrack to a different mood, the juxtaposition just doesn't quiet hit home without clear separation.

Lapalux's Nostalchic is like that charming, vibrant and undeniably attractive person that stands out in a crowd. The person that despite any apparent flaws can win over just about anyone in the room. To your amazement that bright spark digs you something fierce. You can't help but go along for the ride. After the partying stops and the wheels start to fall off you realise that this person is hiding something, a deep and crushing sadness. It's all a bit much and it bums you out, but hey you've come this far and now you're kind of stuck in a tough spot. That's how I feel. I feel like I've been mislead. Lead on by false pretences. Hey, maybe I'm just a jerk. Maybe I'll never be happy.

- Jay Edwards.

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