Marking the most surrealistic, at times somber, and notably most experimental release so far, Reflections of a Lost Year kicks things off by launching you into your subconscious stratosphere with an aptly titled psychoactive anthem, Elevated. Lead by an ascending motif that carries you off into the swirling soundscapes and fuzzed out guitars of neo-psychedelia ladened bliss. Meeting the end of the first track where the listener then is immediately thrusted back down to Earth, and into the catchy paranoia induced delirium of Am I Death, and the songs gloomy yet enchanting atmosphere.
Although this album has an overarching continuity in terms of sonic textures, and at times thematically darker imagery than prior releases, the songs were compiled at near random from the abundance of test recordings done throughout early fall and winter. These ideas stemmed from those test recordings, which were created to try new home recording techniques, and with no intent of becoming anything tangible or released into the world. But as interest grew from those who had heard the unpolished demos early on, it became clear there was something worth curating from the rubble. Creatively speaking, the lack of intent to create something meant for the ears of others may have been an added and inevitable benefit to some of the unrestricted authenticity displayed throughout the passages of the record.
This can be heard especially evident in the vulnerability of the third track Don’t Hold Me Back, which became a very quick chill inducing favorite among close friends. Seen as well from the deviations into more abstract experimental thoughts as the album progresses, we enter the albums second half with Everything I See Is Me, a song which existentially plays with the ideas that we are no different than the invisible energy that silently coils and flows all around us, this rock we stand upon and call home, and the star of our solar system. Truly is a hauntingly psychedelic auditory adventure that is likely to invoke the reflection of ones own existence, and the importance they hold in the grander schemes of the universes infinitely expanding clutches. From the jazzier influenced Lost In My Head, to even playing around with vocoder for the song Broken Machine, which sings about a sentient immortal machine that has outlasted humanity, the endings of the album contains some of the most exciting new material yet.
Overall showcasing the most noticeable evolution in both production, artistic style, and sonic fidelity that this project has seen so far. Beginning a shift into a whole new era for the Groovy Nobody, and a perfect display of foreshadowing for what is to come of future endeavors.
As we step out from the darkest shadows of a lost year, we shall face growth of new unseen proportions. Let those reflections enlighten to you the capabilities in which we are newly to reach. All that can be dreamed will be.
