LAPALUX

NOSTALCHIC (Brainfeeder)

17/20

Stuart Howard, aka Lapalux, is the latest wonder boy to emerge from the Brainfeeder roster and arguably the label’s most exciting newcomer in recent times. To this day, Lapalux is the only British artist who’s found a place on Flying Lotus’s imprint, and he’s crafted a wonderfully textured, colourful and comprehensive record. The smoky plod and sexy vocal distortion of first single Guuurl is an immediate attention sucker rather than seeker, and like much of the record, the track is set at a brilliantly languid pace. This is due in part to the expertly deployed R’n’B consistency that runs through the album. On the super sensual One Thing, there’s a rich interplay between the layering of the slow broken Brainfeeder-esque beats running up against the dreamy and sensual vocals of Jenna Andrews. Another highlight is Swallowing Smoke, which sounds like Hudson Mohawke swallowing a whole load of melancholy – no bad thing. Like an ideal partner, Nostalchic is a close and personal listen that keeps you hooked, but never dominates or invades.

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Words: Thomas Frost