Spirit box by Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus, the maestro known for his genre-defying soundscapes, surprises us with Spirit Box, his first non-soundtrack release since 2019’s Flamagra. This EP ventures into house and neo-R&B territories, featuring collaborations with artists like Dawn Richard and Sid Sriram. However, instead of a thrilling exploration, it feels more like a meandering stroll through familiar, uninspired terrain.
The production quality is polished, as one would expect from Flying Lotus. Tracks like “Ajhussi” and “Ingo Swann” introduce house beats that aim for a danceable vibe but land closer to background music at a dentist’s office. The sonic landscape lacks the innovation and depth that have been the hallmark of his previous works, leaving listeners yearning for the complexity that once set him apart.
Lyrically, the EP doesn’t venture into any profound or uncharted territories. The themes are as generic as a pop song about heartbreak, with lines that neither inspire nor offend—they simply exist. The collaborations, while promising on paper, fail to inject the necessary vitality into the tracks, resulting in a collection of songs that are as memorable as last Tuesday’s lunch.
If forced to pick a standout, “Let Me Cook” featuring Dawn Richard offers a glimmer of interest, primarily due to Richard’s vocal performance. However, even this track feels like a missed opportunity, with potential simmering just below the surface but never fully coming to a boil.
The EP’s flow is as disjointed as a poorly edited film. Each track seems to exist in its own bubble, with little to no narrative or thematic thread connecting them. This lack of cohesion makes the listening experience feel more like a series of unrelated demos than a thoughtfully curated collection.
Listening to Spirit Box is akin to attending a highly anticipated event that turns out to be a dull affair. There’s a sense of disappointment and a longing for the excitement that was promised but never delivered. It’s an EP that, despite multiple listens, fails to evoke any strong emotional response, positive or negative.
Die-hard fans of Flying Lotus might find some solace in the familiar production quality, but casual listeners or those new to his work are unlikely to be impressed. The EP lacks the innovation and energy needed to captivate a broader audience, making it a tough sell for anyone outside his most dedicated fanbase.
Spirit Box is a perplexing misstep from an artist capable of so much more. It’s a collection of tracks that, while competently produced, lack the spark and creativity that have defined Flying Lotus’s career. In the end, it’s an EP that leaves you checking your watch, wondering when the real show will begin.
