Single Review: The Melancholic, Theatrical Beauty Of Son Lux’s ‘Plans We Made’

Son Lux | Plans We Made (single) | City Slang

Single Release Date: 28 July, 2020

Album Release Date – Tomorrows I: 14 August, 2020

In order to describe the auditory world of Son Lux, one must be willing to open their ears, eyes and hearts; a genre-bending realm in which the American trio sculpt a sound that is always unique in nature – approaching their craft with the vivacity of curious open minds as they incorporate a plethora of elements into each work.

Classically trained composer Ryan Lott initially founded Son Lux as a solo endeavor – built from a foundation of eclectic sound and experimentation, Son Lux eventually grew into a symbiosis of artists: with the addition of guitarist Rafiq Bhatia and drummer Ian Chang; the official title of a band was established with the release of ‘Bones’ in 2015.

Their latest single ‘Plans We Made’ is taken from the trio’s forthcoming album ‘Tomorrows I’ – a long format album, which is the first in a series of three volumes scheduled to be released throughout the rest of this year. If one reads this in time, tomorrow Thursday August 6th – Son Lux will be hosting two digital listening parties where you will hear ‘Tomorrows I’ in its entirety before release for fans around the world. 

For more information please click here!

A moody, ominous tone opens ‘Plans We Made’ with the sharp, biting sweep of strings; a deep reverb-drenched hum encapsulates the melancholic atmosphere. Lott’s shimmering, velveteen voice echoes with a sense of longing, a cloaked shadow of sorrow slumbering within. The minimalist pulse of quiet electronics accompany his vocals as they steer the track toward a burst of emotional intensity; a crescendo layered with a medley of multi-layered textures.

The delicate clicks and snaps of percussion akin to chillwave beats creep as phantoms amongst Lott’s highly cinematic vocals, the use of ghostly timbres sending shivers as cold fingers down one’s spine – especially as the voice of guest musician Kadhja Bonet cries in stunning theatrics. The outstanding soundscape is rich with electronics, layers of ethereal string instruments and the overall mood is exceptionally beautiful in its sorrow, and listless anxiety. If ‘Plans We Made’ is anything to go by regarding our expectations of Son Lux’s upcoming album(s), we are in for an incredible journey.

Rating: 9 / 10

Feature Image: Son Lux by Djeneba Aduayom