GALACTICA

Lebowski has already grabbed attention within Poland and abroad with their inspired ideas, powerful concepts, and charming musical craftsmanship they displayed on their 2010 album "Cinematic". Normally, it might be difficult for artists to live up to the acclaim of a proper masterpiece of that sort; however, for me "Galactica" (2019) delivered in the fullest. Retaining the band's signature atmospheric-filmic-instrumental style, "Galactica" is its own creation, noticeably different (but not worse!) than its predecessor.

There are few pieces that could be easily listened to as stand-alones on "Galactica", perhaps only "Goodbye My Joy" and "Slightly Inhuman". The entire album is deeply conceptual, as suggested by the title and cover this time playing on the concept of space, which is most apparent in the sound of "Solitude of Savant", "Midnight Syndrome", and the titular "Galactica". The pieces, albeit distinctive at a closer look, blend into one another in post-listening memories, creating a coherent experience, one that can only be described as imaginative. There is certain dense minimalism to the way Lebowski structure their music on "Galactica": elaborating simple, repetitive melodies in lengthy sessions with an improvisational streak on various instruments from keys, through guitars, to more unexpected flugelhorn (in "Goodbye My Joy": a collaboration with the brilliant jazz soloist Markus Stockhausen). Most of the time, one instrument leads with a fresh melodic entry, while the others join in the arrangement-dialogue, supported by a steady rhythm (similar throughout the album). In addition, for this album the band decided only on wordless female vocals (instead of spoken Polish word like on "Cinematic"), perhaps pointing towards Lebowski's aim for internationalization. The simplicity and subtleness of "Galactica" may be off-putting to some; however, it assures that the sound runs smoothly, binding it together into a coherent, dreamy session one can easily space (pun not intended) out to. Despite not being particularly stimulating in terms of blatant unexpectedness and experimentation, the album is never boring, always subtly changing, and at least a few of the leading melodies remain stuck in the head for a good while. In this case, less is more. This is the music to close your eyes to and allow it to flow- a sort of spacey bend on film music, a bit reminiscent of classical minimalism.

"Galactica" seems to be getting significantly less attention in comparison with "Cinematic", which is a pity. The 4 stars here are well-deserved; perhaps in time this album too will become recognized for its sound and concept. Indeed though- this is an album that requires undisturbed time to be appreciated.