Loelash - Lapse

October 30, 2020 - Self-released

Italian-raised London-based newcomer Lorenzo “Loelash” Lucchetti is here with his sophomore EP, heralding a self-proclaimed shift in style for the multi-instrumentalist. The artist's classic piano and saxophone roots shine through the bubbly, rhythmically complex electronic production, providing that elusive effervescent effortlessness that soundtracks the changing seasons so well in a major metropolitan area. 

‘The Prophecy’ starts softly, with synthesized vinyl distortion crackling over a synthesized harp riff; the crackling is a little heavy in this context, like over seasoning an entrée. But just like an over-salted dish, all one needs to do is add more food to compensate, and Loelash is no stingy chef. Succulent sax lines double up on one another as chopped vocals flow up and down with the slow pulse of hand drums. Individual elements are given plenty of space on the mix, allowing for a complex but digestible composition. Double time now, and the percussive bits move this piece into sunset dance territory. 

Onto ‘Trust,’ and the feeling remains the same: the air is crisp and refreshing, lights are dimming, bodies are moving. A more solid melodic center is established here, giving opportunity for more spicy sax lines and playful percussion. The piece bleeds straight into ‘Epiphany’ next. The tempo seems to pick up here, with the focus turning to more chopped vocals and piano riffs. Loelash’s use of silence to give emphasis has been present in the previous tracks, but its use here is particularly spine-tingly. A syrupy slowed down Pusha T steps in with a repeated line that carries through into ‘Inspiration.’ The drum kit tightens up on this piece, polyrhythms playing tag with an absolutely funky bass/melodic line. It’s an embodiment of positivity, the whimsical vocal treatment against Pusha T’s deeper voice, the dampened plucky synth lines, the satisfying drum lifts. 

‘The Answer’ slows things down one last time before the project comes to a close. Rich instrumentation mirrors a deep kick drum with a deliberate cadence as sampled vocals float lightly in the background. The synthesized harp action from track one is back again, eliciting a feeling of near nostalgia for the time when whole worlds existed on floppy-disk-based computer games. 

Lapse is a tremendously strong outing for Loelash, combining the warm, tactile feel of his multi-instrumental background and his light and airy electronic production style. There’s a lot to enjoy in these five tracks and even more to look forward to from the artist down the road. Keep in touch, Loelash. 🍍