Album Review: Satalights debut eclectic full length Little Star
Have you ever listened to an album so dense in material you had to put it down for a second to process what your brain heard? Rich in texture and hard to define, Satalights debut full-length album, Little Star which drops this Saturday, November 7 on Timewheel Records is such an album. There is no doubt bandleader, guitarist and vocalist Alex Scott is both a talented performer and songwriter. We ‘re excited to share this eclectic and musically rich record record today.
The Austin-based trio produce a sound that is equal parts post rock, ambient music and indie rock. We don’t know what you call that either. As Scott mentioned, “I hate boxes so I really didn’t wanna put myself in one on this album.”
This record was produced by Carter Greeves and Alex Scott with support from Charles Godfrey at Mosaic Sound Collective could just as easily be released as two EPs and a single.
Inspired by the unexpected passing of his mother, Scott penned this material to reflect the broad spectrum of emotions people can go through when dealing with a sudden loss of a family member or friend. The deliberate eclecticism in the track listing which ranges from Smashing Pumpkins, 90’s indie rock to inspired post rock to a lovely Spanish language ballad that both sounds traditional yet unmistakably the Satalights appear on this album.
The record’s first single, “Snow Jams 98” is an excellent, kraut-rock influenced tune. The uptempo beat and slick guitar riffs mesh with harmonized vocals that get the listener invested right away. It’s an ideal track to select as an introductory single. Maybe a great driving song? We should test that theory on our next listen.
The other track Satalights have released in advance of the full album which officially drops Saturday, is a down tempo, psych-rock meets shoegaze meets 90’s goth vibe song, “Boababs.” The song signals a change in tone on the record. The tune is nearly six minutes long, easing listeners out of the more frenetic, rock n roll pace of the first half of the album. The lush arrangement adds to the pleasurable vibes offered. It’s a thoughtfully arranged composition that shows off the band’s musical talent. The group’s, Garth Condit (bass) and Mark Romano (drums) get to demonstrate their broad musical talents on the track.
Fans can pre-order the record via the group’s Bandcamp page beginning today. The album is set to go on sale Saturday instead of the now traditional New Music Friday release date.
What follows “Boababs” is an ambitious instrumental number in four parts, “Nebula 1” through “Nebula IV.” It begins with Apollo 11 launch sequence samples during the part I intro with spare guitar and bass a la Pink Floyd. The remaining three movements if you will expand on that launch sequence theme to the subtitled, “Godspeed” (II), “Atmosphere” (III) and “Explosions” (IV) in dramatic fashion.
The album lets the listener down easy with “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” acting as a bit of an epilogue to “Nebula.” The music on this track is elegant and beautiful, reflecting the attention to detail found on the previous songs.
Finally, Satalights wind up with a clearly, deeply personal ode to Scott’s mother, “Rolita Bonita” which both evokes the Spanish language ballads and traditional folks songs made famous by the likes of Mexican vocal giants Vincente Fernandez and Juan Gabriel but tempered with the indie rock influence of Satalights.
Satalights are hosting a listening party for the new record Saturday at Native Hostel from 3-5 p.m. No advance tickets are necessary, fans can simply drop in and hang out.
You must be logged in to post a comment.