Spacecadet Lullabies - gardens

Spacecadet Lullabies

​Gardens
self-released; 2018

​4.2 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Spacecadet Lullabies is the solo project for Matt Lewin. Lewin is an independent artist, who has scored music for short films, games and apps for Sesame Street. He also released his own music.  Ghost Songs (2010) and Spacecadet Lullabies (2004), were his previous efforts and most recently Gardens.

Lewin is the real deal. Apparently his studio is bursting with everything you could want and more to tinker for months on end. It does sound like it when you listen to his music. His arsenal of sounds are unique, inventive and avoids sounding like a common preset you could pull up in Garageband.

He works with two vocalists on Gardens. First up is Tali Gal-on who has duties on three of the four songs including the first entitled “Victoria (Feat. Tali Gal-on).” The song starts with ominous, twinkling synths and soon afterwards other elements are introduced. It’s metallic and multiple time signatures seem to come and go. The music doesn't’ contain enough guitar to be confused with Portishead but the vocal performance and dark tendencies certainly brought them to mind. The song is also deceptively catchy with repeated listens. I was ready to hear more after the exceptional production skills demonstrated on the first song.

The dark vibe continues with “Hearts (Feat. Rachael Comte).” It moves with subtle pads but the bass and drums really keep the energy up. As the song unfolds more percussive elements surface bringing to mind some of Radiohead's electronic side. A reverb laced guitar enters in due time providing some contrasting light to the dark elements. Comte’s performance is understated and drips with melancholy and yearning. The lyrics are interpretive but seem to reflect thoughts on the mundane nature of a weekly routine. Comte sings, “Mondays I wait here the weeks slip away tongue tied and twisted the ground starts to sway.”

“Black Fur (Feat. Tali Gal-on)” twinkles in the night sky. Lewin’s mix of reverb laced guitars, synths and drums create layers of emotion and energy. The song felt the most post-rock influenced to my ears. At the end of the day the song turns into a hyperreal ode to longing love.

A playful, ethereal universe not unlike that you may have heard from Björk is created on “Wet Grass (Feat. Tali Gal-on).” It’s arguably Lewin’s shining moment in terms of creating an all encompassing arena of sound.

Spacecadet Lullabies is one of those artists who need more attention. His sense of aesthetics and ability to create it seamlessly is some of the best I have heard in recent memory. Highly recommended.

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