LXP releases “Power Ballads, Vol.1”
Operating out of South East London, LXP delivers debut EP ‘Power Ballads, Vol.1).
Out 15th March and produced with Seth Evans (Black Midi, HMTLD).
Available on CD and download.
A kaleidoscopic-pop project.
The Lowdown
New year, new things and new news – introducing ‘Power Ballads, Vol.1’ the electronic pop project from LXP due 15th March. Operating out of Brockley, South London, LXP has been spinning around the big city’s indie circus in various bands but the focus has been on crafting this EP with co-producer Seth Evans (of Black Midi and HMLTD).
‘Power Ballads, Vol.1’ is a mini-album stoked with wide-eyed pop experimentalism, Brainfeeder vibes, Portishead dynamics and Talk Talk spaciousness. With LXP taking a maximalist approach to music making the layers come dense and the beats big. That maybe, but at the core of ‘Power Ballads’ are songs, personal and lyrical, framed by vocals that command attention from each whisper to scream. Check the sleazy electro-shock of ‘On Repeat’ as it stomps in with a nightlife swagger and slick Prince harmonies before diving into desperation. Or strap in for ‘Concede’ where the sub bass tension shivers towards the haunted break up. ‘Brace -pile- inhale’ yeh….
‘Power Ballads Vol.1’ draws from relationships lost, found and imagined, all opened up for others to find a place of their own. Sometimes bitter, sometimes warm these are songs made for you to look back at yourself: ‘Drive’ cruises to a trip-hop purr then seethes through a passionate hook; the aching ‘Hold me’ reaches out on a succulent round of gentle electronica and sultry hyper-pop; and ‘Nobody (I’m OK)’ shrugs ironically with some testy vox effects. Plus searching for some closure, the stark beauty of ‘December’ pares itself back to expose LXP’s aching voice and sombre piano, gliding lonely through the emotional turbulence.
Wiring into a network of influences (nu-soul, darkwave, Mitski, Bon Iver, Kid A, Scott Walker’s ‘Bish Bosch’…) bundled intricately for cohesion and flow. ‘Power Ballads Vol.1’ arrives fully charged.
Instagram: @l.x.p.97 LXP Instagram
