The Son also rises

Written on June 29, 2011 – 2:35 am | by Cameron Hussey

“We Are Rising,” Son Lux (Anticon)

As a novel approach to making a record, Ryan Lott (aka Son Lux) took a challenge pitched by NPRs All Songs Considered host, Robin Hilton, to write and record an entire album, from start to finish, in four weeks this past February.

Hiltons offer was inspired by the music magazine, Wire, which invites musicians everywhere to produce an entire record each February, the shortest month of the year 10 tracks, or 35 minutes of music in four short weeks.

The 32-year-old producer-composer was understandably highly reluctant and fearful of such pressure. But the more he thought about it, the more taken Lott was with the concept and challenge.

With the exception of vocals, Lott did the basic tracks in the first 15 days. But, he was forced to write parts for accompanists on the fly; sometimes, he was so rushed that the additions could only be communicated verbally, rather than written out. There are contributions from My Brightest Diamonds Shara Worden, the Antlers Peter Silberman, Midlake, and DM Stith.

The results of what became Lotts second full-length are both strangely compelling and unique.

Ryan Lott (aka Son Lux)

The musicians classical training is evidenced in the complex, detailed arrangements. But its the way he fuses experimental pop and electronica sensibilities that take “We Are Rising,” to another otherworldly dimension. In fact, its easy to imagine that this might be what pop music sounds like in some other galaxy or planet.

You wouldnt mistake this for the Beach Boys, but the writing and bizarre sonic marriages arent far from Brian Wilsons most adventurous work (think original sessions for “Smile”). There are also similarities to the odder pieces by 10 CC (Godley & Creme), Sparks and even Xiu Xiu albeit, much more accessible.

Thats the magic of it: The material vacillates from very sparse to celestially lush, even within the span of a single song.

The opening track, “Flickers,” evokes a space-age opera that Bjrk or Rufus Wainwright whom Lotts voice resembles might sing. And while the melodies are written in a strong, chamber-pop tradition, many have little to none of the usual percussion and production heard in most of todays commercial recordings. When they are used, as in songs like the ominously beautiful “Claws” and the tribal beat of “Let Go,” they make a menacing, heavy statement.

If we could ever imagine Igor Stravinsky crafting a pop album, “We Are Rising” might be akin to what it would sound like. And thats no easy feat or light praise.

Son Lux is playing a record-release show for “We Are Rising” tonight at the Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street, Brooklyn. Call 718-384-4586. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 apiece; $12 apiece at the door.

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