“There’s no question Lott is a gifted composer and Lanterns is his most arresting album to date.” – NPR
“[Son Lux’s] music encompasses pinpoint orchestral arrangements as well as electronics that can be glitchy, glossy and dizzying.” – The New York Times
“Brainy and muscular, propulsive and complicated, mournful and celebratory” – Pitchfork
Joyful Noise Recordings is excited to share the video for Son Lux‘s “Lanterns Lit” from their 2013 full-length Lanterns. The video premiered via Noisey, where they noted that “Son Lux makes music that is bewitching. Elements of electronica and classical music are gently folded together beneath a beautiful cracking voice.” Noisey called the video “Beautifully shot… something absolutely worth watching again, and then again, and then again.” The clip was directed and produced by SJ Finlay, with visual effects by Nisha Kumkeaw and coloring by David Tomiak (Brass Tacks Films). About the process of creating the video, Finlay said “This music video was made while shooting promotional materials for Hope for the Nations as well as a short film to help children at risk in South East Asia. To keep updated about the release of that film, follow #ChildrenofChange.””Lanterns Lit” is available to stream or embed HERE.
Son Lux will embark on West Coast US tour starting on September 19 at The Roxy in Los Angelesand concluding on September 24 at the Decibel Festival in Seattle. After those shows, the group will start a string of European dates, beginning at the Soy Festival in Nantes, France and ending at the Circolo Degli Artisti in Rome, Italy. The current list of tour dates can be found below.
The tour follows the May 27 release of the Alternate Worlds EP, which featured reimagined versions of the tracks from Lanterns. In addition to “Build A Pyre (Begin Again),”Alternate Worlds features a collaboration with Lorde on “Easy (Switch Screens),” which came to be after the New Zealand breakout star began covering the original version live.
Released to much praise late last year, Lanterns sees Son Lux (aka Ryan Lott) at the helm of an impressive ensemble of instrumentalists and singers, including Chris Thile (The Punch Brothers), Peter Silberman (The Antlers), DM Stith, Lily & Madeleine, Darren King (Mutemath), Ieva Berberian (Gem Club) and yMusic (Dirty Projectors, Bon Iver). Meditative but heaving with energy, Lanterns finds a peculiar congruency between futuristic soul and ancient sentiment. Driving orchestral pop (“Lost It To Trying,” “No Crimes”) is placed alongside creepy minimalism (“Pyre,” “Enough Of Our Machines”), often starkly juxtaposing densely layered arrangements with Lott’s intimate voice.
Beyond releasing Alternate Worlds and worldwide touring, Son Lux released an album with Sisyphus, his collaborative project with Sufjan Stevens and rapper Serengeti, whose self-titled debut was released on March 18th via Joyful Noise / Asthmatic Kitty. Additionally, Lott is a featured songwriter, producer and performer on “Troubled World” off WinterSpringSummerFall, the new mixtape from Beyonce producer BOOTS. Son Lux also recently scored the upcoming film The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, due this September. Lott, equal parts producer and composer, has been delving into further collaborations as Son Lux, with more details to be unveiled in the coming months.
Alternate Worlds
tracklist:
1. Alternate World (Alternate Age)
4. Lost It To Trying (Mouths Only Lying)
Son Lux tour dates:
9/19 – The Roxy – Los Angeles, CA
9/20 – Independent – San Francisco, CA
9/22 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
9/23 – Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
9/24 – Decibel Festival @ The Crocodile – Seattle, WA
10/29 – Soy Festival (Stereolux) – Nantes, FR
10/30 – Rockomotives Festival (Le Minotaure) – Vendome, FR
10/31 – Pitchfork Festival (Grande Halle de la Villette) – Paris, FR
11/1 – B Sides Festival – Lucerne, CH
11/2 – Beautés Soniques Festival – Namur, BE
11/4 – Meet Factory – Prague, CZ
11/5 – Pod Minoga Club – Poznan, PL
11/6 – Basen – Warsaw, PL
11/8 – Iceland Airwaves – Reykjavik, IS
11/22 – Le Guess Who Festival – Utrecht, NL
11/23 – Nochtspeicher – Hamburg, DE
11/24 – Schwutz – Berlin, DE
11/25 – Gebäude 9 – Cologne, DE
11/26 – Ground Zero Festival (Le Grand Mix) – Lille, FR
11/27 – La Cartonnerie – Reims, FR
11/28 – Le Consortium – Dijon, FR
12/1 – Arena – Vienna, AT
12/3 – Circolo Degli Artisti – Rome, IT
