Deep baritone sax, unpredictable electric guitar, and a sultry, eerie voice combine to create a rich balance between Son Lux’s instrumentals and Lorde’s intermittent vocals.
Although repetitive, the lyrics speak a simple message of idealized thought versus reality of human nature. If only it were so easy to inhibit the aftershock of heartbreak. How simple it is on paper, to overcome ill emotions. Easy, right? Just get rid of the pain. Just,
pull out the heart that keeps you feeling alone
Lorde has been blowing up on the music scene lately, yet this is the first time I’ve heard her in an instrument-centric song. Because she doesn’t play any instruments, her album “Pure Heroine” focuses greatly on her voice. Lorde had been covering “Easy” on tour in 2013, and recently remixed it with Ryan Lott (AKA Son Lux) to feature simple drums, deep brass, and an uncontrollable electric guitar. Her complex voice pairs well with the producer’s creepy, mysterious sounds to create a dark, contemplative mood for the listener. An interesting curve takes us off course for a spontaneous 30-second release of distorted instrumentals. If you’re not one for noise, you may not enjoy this segment as much as the rest of the song.
“Easy (Switch Screens)” is part of Son Lux’s recent 4-track release, “Alternate Worlds.” It is available now digitally and will be released on limited-edition vinyl at the end of May. Lott has also been working with indie songwriter Sufjan Stevens and rapper Serengeti in a collaboration called Sisyphus, which formed in 2012. They released their debut earlier this year. Keep your ears pricked and hopes high for another collaboration between the pair.
