Three, two, one — BLAST OFF. All aboard the Spaceface craft, next stop, Lunar Manor. For fans of nouveaux psychedelia, melt-your-mind melodies, and existential-yet-audible metamorphosis, Spaceface is your kinda of vibe. Founded in 2012 by Jake Ingalls (formerly of Flaming Lips) and Eric Martin, the neo-psychedelic LA-based band returns with another sonic journey (as much as I hate using that descriptor for music, I find it applicable in this use case) in the form of Lunar Manor, their third studio album.
Out via Mothland, Spaceface’s new LP explores simple concepts in complex ways — from love and money (and love of money) to time and space. It’s a true journey of consciousness. Production-wise, Lunar Manor is pristine, punctuated, and profound, with enough echo and reverb layers piled on top of each other to reach the moon. Beginning slow and steady with “Be Here Forever”, the album immediately gives listeners the keys to the “Manor” — synth keys, that is. Female vocals (assuming of bassist Marina Aguerre) surfaces in the second verse, making an already savory song even softer. With lyrics like “in your eyes is true love”… the kind one can only “dream of”, this warm welcome into the LP is rivaled to none.
With the journey initiated, it’s time to up the momentum.
Literally. “Acceleration” pumps up the tempo, with a key-forward intro and addictive walking bass line. It’s time to get moving! As the track builds to the bridge, where Spaceface literally cheers you on chanting “don’t stop // keep it movin”, track two catapults the listener into a “new dimension” — one of self-reflection and admission.
At least, that’s what the next three tracks cover off on. “Beach Within Reach” details a mental escape from the madness of everyday life. Let your ‘happy place’ exist “in the back of your mind // outside of time”, on the “white shores” of [insert oasis here]. You can literally hear the beach calling, with crashing waves and spirited maracas keeping the beat.
Or, perhaps, you’re still finding your happy place. ..?
In “IDKW2G” (spelled out “I Don’t Know Where To Go” for people over age 40), Spaceface has you covered if you need some direction. It’s okay to be aimless… maybe, you just need time to float for a bit, swimming through your thoughts and circumstances to arrive at your next destination. Maybe this leads you to realizing patterns of behavior you need to break, like those metaphorically stirred up in the super psychedelic instrumental track, “I Never Learn”.
Or, perchance, you’ve been bogged down because “Everything Is Money”. In this total timbre shift, Spaceface chastises greedy, capitalistic society while acknowledging their involvement all the same.
Change is the only constant in this world — so, can you spare some?
As The Verve says, “it’s a Bittersweet Symphony this life”… which Spaceface intentionally brings to the surface in track seven. Put to rest all of money’s conundrums and just ‘be’. The cover is absolutely brilliant, too, with the funkiest bass lines and hushed tambourine, not to mention sound mixing reminiscent of The Beatles. Actually, tangent, most of this album screams Sgt. Peppers/Magical Mystery Tour… making me wonder if Spaceface intentionally or inadvertently crafted “Watching You Watch The Moon” melodies and breakdowns so similar to Abbey Road‘s “Sun King”? Moon, sun… what does it all means??!
What I’m really trying to say is that Lunar Manor is what I hoped for the new Tame Impala album that fell short. It’s a revival of 1960s acid tests, but wrapped in modern tools. It’s a Mac DeMarco journey that doesn’t bore me.
But, really, it’s Spaceface — all Spaceface.
Lunar Manor is now available to stream on all digital outlets, as well as via physical vinyl pressings. I personally suggest the vinyl, as it brings out that neo-psychedelic trip only analog can. The vinyl also showcases the album’s artwork, a duality of colorful geometric abstraction against real-life black-and-white photography. A little color and chaos to break with bleak tradition. I get it. Bottom line, this band is one to watch, so make sure you grab a copy of this incredible album today.
Spaceface – “Beach Within Reach”
Track listing:
- Be Here Forever
- Acceleration
- Beach Within Reach
- IDKW2G
- I Never Learn
- Everything Is Money
- Bittersweet Symphony
- Look into the Sky
- All We Have
- Watching You Watch the Moon
- Wonder About You
Stream ‘Lunar Manor’ album:
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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