lapalux

Mike Schiller: Lapalux does the smart thing here and gets out of the way for the vaguely Björk-esque vocals of JFDR, for whom this song is a lovely showcase. Backed by scattered pops and hisses over the simplest of beats and a slowly-layering tapestry of synths, JFDR doesn’t give us melodies so much as thoughts, a few words at a time, keeping us interested but never quite bothering with a proper hook. It’s lovely, the way a moderately populated sidewalk in the art district is lovely. [7/10]

John Garratt: Having made his mark on both Ninja Tune and Brainfeeder, electronic music producer Lapalux doesn’t need guest artists to help make his material shine. And while I agree with a certain YouTube commenter that the music of “Flickering” is therapeutic, JFDR’s overly breathy Björk impersonation is anything but. Left as an instrumental, this track could have had a stronger impact, a snug little backdrop for your own gloom and mood purposes. With JFDR taking the mic, this delicate piece of music gets hijacked to exhibition island where barely pronouncing your tortured words reigns supreme. In other words, let the music do the talking. [6/10]

Adriane Pontecorvo: Everything glides on “Flickering”, from JFDR’s impossibly smooth voice to the echoing loops backing it. It’s a therapeutic song, spherical and soft. The synths are repetitive, giving JFDR room to maneuver, and while it’s not an obvious standout, it’s an impeccably crafted piece. [7/10]

Steve Horowitz: Soothing and elegant music for a troubled world. The singer’s voice pulls you into a trance with suggestions of love and even something more spiritual. That said, the gossamer tug is easy to break. When somebody asks me to relax my tendency is to tense up. Different strokes for different folks — I’ll sit this one out, but the musicianship is easy to appreciate. [6/10]

SCORE: 6.50