Higher Plain Music » Son Lux

Son Lux – Free Track “Throw” & New EP Released

Higher Plain Music — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:22:50 +0000

Son Lux is having a busy period. Firstly a free track entitled “Throw” has been released for download. Jump onto his myspace blog to get it. It’s unclear as to the tracks origins but I’d imagine judging by its sweeping orchestral sounds that was written close in time to At War With Walls & Mazes. It’s a lovely song and a definate win for download.

Also released is a 4 track EP on iTunes entitled “The Shark Remixes” where Son Lux has remixed tracks from My Brightest Diamond, an artist that Son Lux openly appreciates. The tracks are:

1. Apples
2. The Diamond
3. Inside A Boy
4. To Pluto’s Moon

This is available to download now and we will be reviewing it this coming week.

Tagged: Son Lux

Higher Plain Music’s Top 10 Music Releases of 2008

Higher Plain Music — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:22:14 +0000

Well in the previous post we told you what we’d bought, now its time for our top 10 countdown. There were some excellent releases this year although we’ve bought less compared to 2007, however there wasn’t one release we did not like so everyone’s a winner (except the bank account). So without further ado:

10) Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY

Ayu went all rock for this years album and we head banged with her. With guitar riffs popping out your years and cute verses inbetween, who couldn’t love GUILTY. Standouts are Talkin 2 Myself, GUILTY, Marionette, Together When & Mirror.

09) Son Lux – At War with Walls and Mazes

Our first of two new artists we found this year in the top 10, we were hooked by the unique nature and cold music that made us emotional inside. We look foward to more and more from Son Lux. Highlights are Break, Weapon, Wither, Tell & War.

08) Yasunori Mitsuda – Soma Bringer OST

We must confess that the reason this is 8th and maybe not higher is due to the fact we’ve not spent enough time with it but Mitsuda always produces stunning etheral and mystical albums and we love them and the soundtrack is that good we couldn’t decide our top 5. A review will be coming early next year.

07) Sarah Slean – The Baroness

Possibly the highest charting disappointment for 2008, we felt the production and song’s were a little bland but bland for Sarah is still fantastic and in time we grew to love the album. Definitely a grower. Stand outs are Euphoria, Notes From the Underground, So Many Miles, Sound of Water/Change Your Mind & Get Home.

06) Wataru Hokoyama – Afrika OST

We only reviewed it last week but it’s that good it rockets in at No.6. The lush soundscapes and beautiful melodies earn it a place as one of best orchestral VGM soundtracks in recent memory. Stand outs are Savanna, Afrika, Safari, Big Five & Base Camp

05) Akira Yamaoka – Silent Hill Zero OST

While the games may get a bit of bashing for sticking with the same formula, Akira Yamaoka delivers another serving of empty, sorrowful, eerie ambience that makes you shiver, squirm and tap your feet all at the same time. Not as immediate as some of the other soundtracks he’s done, the songs gradually fester. Stand outs are Hole in the Sky, Theme of Sabre Dance, Drowning, This Wicked End & Wrong is Right

04) Julia Marcell – It Might Like You

A complete new artist for us to discover, we loved her debut album in all its demo-esque glory and look forward to enjoying her work in the years to come. Stand outs are Carousel, Outer Space, Fear of Flying, Dancer & The Story.

03) Emiliana Torrini – Me & Armini

Completely genre hopping – being barking mad in places while utterly devastingly beautiful in others, no one can master everything all at once quite like Emiliana. Good to have you back! Stand Outs are Jungle Drum, Dead Duck, Beggar’s Prayer, Gun & Birds.

02) Alanis Morissette – Flavors of Entanglement

We had been just passers by for Alanis until this album came out. Infectious, technically excellent, emotionally charged and completely compelling, this has quickly become our English album for 2008. Stand outs: Straitjacket, Tapes, Not as We, Limbo No More and Orchid

01) Utada Hikaru – Heart Station

Utada has yet to make a duff record and this, her fifth Japanese album (sixth overall) continues to show her as a natural talent. Stand out tracks are Stay Gold, Heart Station, Beautiful World, Take 5 & the bitter sweet finale Niji-iro Bus.

Congrats to Utada Hikaru!

Tagged: Akira Yamaoka, Alanis Morissette, Ayumi Hamasaki, Emiliana Torrini, Julia Marcell, Sarah Slean, Son Lux, Utada Hikaru, Wataru Hokoyama, Yasunori Mitsuda

Video Vault – Son Lux

Higher Plain Music — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:20:30 +0000

Son Lux is this weeks Video Vault with the slightly weird but still quite effecting video for the excellent “Break”. Never before has I seen string in this manner!

You can view the video here.

Tagged: Son Lux

Son Lux – At War With Walls and Mazes

Higher Plain Music — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:39:11 +0000

I was so surprised when I saw the album title, I’d never heard of Son Lux but hunted for more. I heard “break” and loved it and purchased the album. Son Lux combines minimal music and vocals with a tapestry of ambience that settles so nicely between dramatic and mellow you can’t help but fall into its world. “Prologue” is a spoken layered vocal before “Break” gives us crashing drums for a minute before minimal piano and light whispering vocals soothe you from the harsh begin. It’s here you know your in good hands. “Weapons” is a freaky electronic pulsing piece that’s about as heavy as the album gets with its intense middle and distorted noises.

The hip-hop feel comes out for “Betray” for the most direct song on the album which then stops and goes slow-mo for the final minute. “Stay” is dramatic like a channel 4 advert for its logo with its deep rich string arrangements. “Raise” reminds me of a mix of various stages of Bjork’s career.

“Tell” is an empty track with much solace and downbeat electric and acoustic music but despite not being happy it still manages to soothe and calm you down. It’s such a bizarre feeling but you can’t help it. This is opposed with the real down and dirty track “Wither” which is dark and bass infested. Somewhere inbetween the intricate piano led track “Stand” can easily bring you to tears. It’s been sometime since I can say that three tracks give you such a emotional ride, especially the climax which is like seeing the light and the end of a dark, dark tunnel. “War” then fades you out with what feels like you reaching out to death and letting go to the other side. “Epilogue” is then a beautiful end-credits like song where you open your eyes in a new plain – like you’ve broken the maze and bashed through the walls.

It’s been a while since a debut has sent me on such an emotional roller-coaster. I’m so glad I found this on the off chance. I recommend it whole hearted and this will definitely be in with a big chance of album of the year 2008.