Lotus Devours Summer with Eat The Light
On July 15th, Lotus debuted their new album, Eat The Light, their first record to incorporate lyrics within every track. A band known for their blend of electro-funk music, Eat The Light has some surprising pop-edges to its tone without deterring from the “boogie down with your bad self” disco-era funkadelic jams that the band has been known for.
The album opens with “Fearless,” possibly the funkiest track on the record. The first example of the record’s new vocalized treading shows that the instrumentals are still the key ingredients, while the words are the icing on top. The elements fit into a nostalgic 1970’s disco-vibe that equates itself to a “Saturday Night Fever” b-side.
“I’ve Been a Fool (Toy Guns)” breaks away from the traditional funk and moves into more modern-dance territory, a la LCD Soundsystem’s “Losing My Edge.” The solid electronic drums, the ghostly vocals and guitar riffing in the forefront really hold this track down tight, more thumping than funky for good measure.
The title track of the record follows, in a well appreciated ease out of the funk and into the weird. “Eat The Light” shines with a David Byrne glow, commencing with a Talking Heads Remain in Light-era tinge, incorporating reverb into its vocals to blend even further with the mix. The opening synth arpeggios are a nice change from the out-of-the-gate backbeat from the previous tracks, allowing for Lotus’ synth-chops to really shine throughout the song.
Then all elements blend together within the first few seconds of “Move Too Fast.” Synth pad fades with a funky drum backing it up while the words reel of outer space and living in the moment forever, “Move Too Fast” rides on the ethereal vibes that were touched on as the album progresses but never fully grasps until this point. This is space funk at its finest.
Lotus keeps up the pace with “Sleep When We Are Dead,” another modern dance track with a very refreshing chorus break that keeps the energy going, allowing for the possibility of a sing-along hook within the lyricism. This go-around, the synth takes over for its own riffing, highlighting the electronic chops of the band once again, this time giving it the spotlight.
On “White Light Fadeaway,” Lotus wastes no time in digging into their pop chops: this tune is funk-pop, pure and simple. The hook grabs you and pulls you into the sun with the bounce of its tempo and rhythm. The added percussion and glistening electronic fades make this a summer track worthy of your beach-going or roadtrip playlist. Actually, why not both?
“Anti-Gravity” mellows out from the bounce of its predecessor, opting for modded, repeating vocals within the chorus and a jungle-beats vibe resting over more synth pads. It’s questionable as to whether this track deters from the vibe of the album overall. But rather than see it as a deterrent, given how the rest of the album has been building, it’s only natural for the progression to take a pit stop and breathe on its way out. Plus, the chorus on this track harkens back to a late ’70s or mid ’80s dance track, proving that slowing down never equates to stopping.
“Suntan” is another glistening pop track that continues with the calming progression of the album. The title fits the vibe perfectly; the use of Caribbean-vibe percussions along with clean, glistening guitars give this tune a sunbathing feeling. Listen to it long enough, and you’ll be craving a Piña Colada in no time.
Lotus then moves out of pop-territory and back into some softer funk with “When Our Nerves No Longer Twitch.” The harmonizing chorus is the top-biller on this track, standing out amongst the use of horns and bit-crashing drum pads. They keep in motion with the modern dance vibe but manage to turn the dial back just enough to keep the energy coasting along.
And then “Sodium Vapor” takes over. This is the point the album has been building to: a very vibrant, nearly Beatles-esque tune that rides along the synth pop waves. Lyrics that focus on roadtripping under streetlights and having a good time, the tune becomes what it imagines in its songwriting: a good time for the band’s new approach. It’s a singalong-worthy jam, the most vibrant and solid pop song on the album, both in terms of its instrumentals and its lyricism, keeping within its funk roots and straying just far off the mark to put it all into a blender to craft something sunny and special.
Like a Piña Colada.
Take a trip to Lotus’ website and pick up Eat The Light today.