In the Days of Jupiter

It is hard to believe that this album is classifed in the rock Genre. This is classic Space Music that can be compared to the early days of listening to Hearts of Space and artists like Constance Demby who was a pioneer in the early space music movement of the late 60's and 70's. I could have easily listened to this music late on a Sunday evening while chilling back in the day. A stunningly beautiful album that takes you to other worlds. Almost like listening to the sound track from 2001 A Space Odessey. Beautiful music, simply beautiful! Barvo to the boys from Milwaukee.

This album beautifully conjures the complexity, vastness and other-worldliness of the best of sci-fi -- though in a more delectably dark vein like Bradbury than Asimov. And it manages to sound both fresh and faithful to the lo-fi, post-rock genre without the persistent lull. At some point you find yourself thinking things like, omg I'm listening to a field recording of frogs, but it totally works, tickling your brain like a juicy novel or movie you absolutely can't predict. The eerie lo-fi production is chillingly exquisite, with real instruments detuned just so and ringing over a landscape of reverb akin to the cover art. The alien, sibilant percussion that weaves through the tracks might be described as matchsticks of different sizes in various stages of synchronized ignition.

We last heard from this Wisconsin based band, Lights Out Asia, back in 2008, with their release, Eyes Like Brontide. Two years later we are gifted with their fourth full length release, In The Days Of Jupiter, and it’s a doozy! The album opens up with gentle electronic pads, and cut-up robotic voices – an intergalactic journey is ahead… The second track, “Except Europa”, picks up with tight IDM beats and slowly builds up into the explosion of sound, as we are launched beyond our stratosphere into the outer worlds. The guitars erupt into an expansive wall of frequency rich textures, as we break away from the Earth’s gravitational hold, and float through the ambient layers of atmosphere. Mike Ystad continues to treat the sound with electronics, as Mike Rush delivers the bass riffs, with a guest appearance by Ayala Trumper on the cello, and of course, Chris Shafer on the mic. The album also employs a few field recordings and a selection of samples credited to freesound.org. “Just as Jupiter eclipses the other planets in our solar systems, Lights Out Asia have eclipsed expectations by delivering their most expansive album to date.” I couldn’t agree with that quote from the label’s page more… Be sure to pick up this and their previous releases, Tanks And Recognizers and Garmonia.