Kishi Bashi // Sonderlust

Kishi Bashi

Sonderlust

Joyful Noise Recordings

4.5/5 stars

Sonderlust, the latest by multi-instrumentalist and former Of Montreal collaborator Kishi Bashi, is as unique and curious as its title suggests. Each song is carefully crafted and surprising, from key and tempo changes in "Hey Big Star," or the ambiguous lyrics of "Can't Let Go, Juno." The album explores love, loss, unity, longing and trying to make sense of life comes to a magically soul-touching apex via brilliant instrumentation. Yet despite all the topical weight - relationships cracking, for example - Kishi Bashi playfully samples genre: disco-era "Say Yeah" features sweeping falsetto vocals, and sparkling, chirpy album opener, "m'lover" overrides lyrics that ponder longing and want. "Ode to My Next Life" hurtles through space, video games and a dance-inspired beat over which Kishi Bashi's vocals swell and soar and ponder a better (or different?) existence. Sonderlust takes listeners on a magnificent sonic journey through fanciful and utterly stunning songwriting and music, and is for lovers, fighters, dreamers and anyone who believes in the power of human emotion. - Miriam Lamey