Straight out of South East London, multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Alex Parry is LXP, and he has just released his debut EP ‘Power Ballads Vol. 1’ – an immersive collection of soul-infused electronica that somehow distills bands as diverse as Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and Prince into an intoxicating mix.
Opening track ‘On Repeat’ mixes pop sensibilities with a glitchy hyperactive electronic bed and a scaling chorus which mixes the smooth sinuous melodies that would make Prince proud, while grounding it with a sharp Nine Inch Nails edge that creates a distinctive counterpoint. It is fresh innovative material that is vibrant and exciting stuff.
It comes with a surreal psychedelic video directed and edited by Cormac O’Connell which adds to the satisfyingly discombobulating effects of the music:
‘Drive’ exposes the wide palette that Parry draws upon for his sonic paintings – fitting in with the title of the EP, it is a soaring ballad that exposes a more gentle side. While the electronica still pops and burbles under the surface, Parry puts to the fore his vocals and melodic skills. It is a searing powerful track, inflected again by an undercurrent of yearning soul. It segues into ‘Nobody (I’m Ok)’, an atmospheric series of electronic splashes with distant vocals echoing in the distance, floating and ethereal.
‘TAG’ is just a brief eight second sonic interlude before ‘Concede’ enters with a motorik beat, a dynamic airy thrum with a glitchy air and is held together by the gossamer thread of Parry’s vocals, which morph from sweet to sonic dynamite. The end result is something that sounds like a mix of later period Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, but utterly unique. It’s dynamic and immersive stuff, with haunting sounds in the ether and again highlights Parry’s delicate vocals that channel Thom Yorke in some parts and Trent Reznor in others .
It’s accompanied by a video directed by Cormac O’Connell with fitting melange of electronic visuals that provides a buzz to the system like a defibrillator:
‘Weaver’s Lift Transmission’ and ‘Landing Transmission’ are brief noise interludes that squeal like an out-of-control computer game.
‘Hold Me’ seems to introduce female vocals and a chorus (although it could be another sign of Parry’s extraordinary vocal range) and presents as a restrained pop song with little sonic deviations. There is a theatrical element to it – it is restless and dramatic, split into various chapters that revolve and evolve into a complex soundscape.
Final track ‘December’ is an ethereal ballad that again showcases Parry’s vocals and his piano skills – it is a simple, unadulterated track filled with a delicious frisson – channeling Freddie Mercury’s vocal gymnastics and imbued by a beautiful haunting atmosphere.
‘Power Ballads, Vol. 1’ seems almost an ironic title, yet it lives up to it in a very unique and creative way. It’s a curious mix of soul and techno, borne on Parry’s immersive and evocative vocals – sometimes even operatic – and his intricate production skills and musicianship. Parry is clearly a prodigious talent and this is quite a stunning and intriguing debut. Parry produced it with with Seth Evans (Black Midi, HMTLD).
It is out now and available to download and stream through all the usual sites and through the link below.
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