Lone - Galaxy Garden 8.3

                Judging by the sounds on ‘Galaxy Garden’ it is safe to assume Lone grew up in the early nineties. Most of this is a lovely reconfiguration of everything wonderful about the 90s: lovely melodies, crazy movements, gargantuan beats, etc. In other words, this is pure rave nostalgia. Chillwave might have been nostalgia for the unremembered 80s, but we’re getting further and further away from that approach. Now we’re moving towards all those wonderful ‘Second Summer of Love’ sounds. And Galaxy Garden embodies all the hope early Warp releases had. 

                ‘The Animal Pattern’ can barely contain itself. Electronic giddiness never sounded so good. I adore this track. So many wonderful things are going on within this one track. On one hand there’s the jumpy rhythm. Beneath that is a wistful melody reminiscent of Boards of Canada. Yes it is that level of quality. ‘Lying in the Reeds’ takes a different approach, of shifting tempos for emotional rather than any technical reason. This one transforms itself into an early 90s trance song fairly quickly. I am reminded of late-night dance music from long ago, back when dance was a little more laid back, a little more mellow. The vocal cut-ups are a nice touch. With ‘Crystal Caverns 1991’ Lone wears his influences on his sleeve. I mean that in the nicest way possible. It's a great medley of sounds.

                Lone knows his sound. He knows his audience. Acid, chillout room music, and trance are all thrown together in a non-ironic stew. ‘Galaxy Garden’ is about as giddy as an electronic album can get. One can hear the enthusiasm Lone has for the sound. It’s wonderful.