Review Summary: Technical ecstasy
What do you think would happen if a math rock artist decided to start creating electronic music? Well, speculate no more, because we now have an answer; Lynyn is the alias of Monobody guitarist Conor Mackey, and
Lexicon marks his first foray into the IDM genre. What we get here is a mix of deep bass grooves, evocative melodies, and the same off-kilter, knotty rhythms that defined his main project. So what exactly does it all add up to? Well, there’s quite a lot to unpack, so let’s start with the general vibe of the record. Mackey certainly has an excellent command of atmosphere, knowing just when to give the listener space or ratchet up the tension. Opener “Uja End” is a veritable obstacle course of moods and emotions, as the track is chock full of stuttering beats, contemplative synths, and fat bass slides - all of which would normally clash with each other, but somehow come together very naturally. There’s a very futuristic, almost dystopian vibe to
Lexicon, something that’s actually reinforced by the odd math-y beats and intricate arrangements; it’s also a project that really benefits from how cold and calculated it sounds. “In Dust”, for instance, is introduced with extremely stark keyboards that exude feelings of both uncertainty and distance; eventually the bass comes in and fills up the sound a bit, but the track’s sullen tone doesn’t really go away.
Then there are other songs that just sound
off, and I mean that in the best way possible. “Vnar Rush” is a lovely little piece of paranoia, as the skittering beats and dissonant synth passages generate a near-constant sense of anxiety; meanwhile, “Amund Vise” pits airy-sounding keys against ever-shifting bass patterns, resulting in something truly disorienting. Things do finally ease up on the record’s closer “Puffling”, as the deep bass and hopeful melodies create a wonderful sense of calm - despite the fact that there’s still a trippy beat anchoring the whole thing.
Lexicon really seems to thrive on contrasts: got a nice pleasant synth part going on? Put some weird rhythms over that shit and keep listeners on their toes! Are the beats just a little too busy? Well, compliment them with some pensive melodies and make the song a bit more immersive. With this project, Mackey struck a really nice balance between complexity and accessibility; you can listen to it passively while doing another activity, but attentive listening can be very rewarding as well.
Lexicon is a fascinating place in which futuristic locales, musical intricacy, and frequent tonal shifts intertwine. The question is: are you ready to step inside and experience it for yourself?
