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Published: 2013/02/19

by Justin Jacobs

Lotus: Build

SCI Fidelity

Livetronica kings Lotus’ early albums were filled with lovely, neon-liquid jams—fluid and bright. But with each progressive studio album, that flowing sound has congealed into something with structure, harder edges and sharper corners. Build, the band’s fifth studio album, sees that transformation all but complete. If old-school fan favorite Nomad presented a flowing river of exotic grooves, then Build is a jagged mountain made of ice.

The change isn’t bad, but it also isn’t hard to picture Build as a product of its environment. Aside from the ‘90s heyday of Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers, arguably, there has never been a bigger time for electronic music. Glowstick magnets like Skrillex and Deadmau5 are the new mainstream; even within the jam world, producers like The Glitch Mob and Bassnectar are making crowds giddy.

Build, then, is closer to the glitchy, start-stop funk of Ratatat than the ambient, twirling guitar workouts of STS9. It’s music for a workout playlist, not for a late-night headphone haze. The record takes the shift that Lotus made with 2011’s self-titled album further to electro territory.

But if you can, forget about Lotus’ studio-recorded past. On its own merit, Build is a loud, wild party. Opener “Break Build Burn” fires out of the gate with synths spiraling to the sky and a punchy horn section courtesy of Rubblebucket. With the sprinkled-in piano line, it’s a dead ringer for a track that Pretty Lights could’ve dropped in 2009.

First single “Massif” builds on a solitary, churning guitar line with a heavy, chomping beat. “Aschon” actually includes that dubstep bass “womp”—musical crack for the EDM set. This alone may mean that Build proves to be kryptonite for old-school fans. But while the record’s production is impeccably tight and crisp, there simply isn’t enough variety here. Build remains largely within the realm of mid-tempo bangers. Even that womp doesn’t properly explode; the song around it is already turned to 11.

If you long for those swirling, spaced-out Lotus jams, then nab some tickets or fire up their excellent live record Escaping Sargasso Sea. That Lotus still exists. But keep your mind open; Build is a beat-heavy, colorful trip to the dance floor. Bring the glowsticks.

Comments

There are 18 comments associated with this post

Jeanne February 19, 2013, 22:09:24

Hahahaha I love u lotus fam

Samuel February 20, 2013, 01:20:07

Lotus has integrated certain stylistic traits of the “EDM” genre, but within the context of their own medium. Frankly I respect that he’s giving the nod to the essence of lotus that is more apparent based on their entire repertoire but feel deeply betrayed when Mr. Jacobs draws comparisons between, not only Bassnectar and Pretty Lights but lowly Glitch Mob. All 3 of those musical acts are reductive novel gimmicks that will inevitably fizzle out alike other superficial art. and to respond further, i must commend you on your delivery Jacobs, and what a fine ear you have, noticing the arpeggio delay shimmer on BBB’s piano, a tactic that derek vincent smith employs fondly.

Jeanne February 19, 2013, 11:26:45

As a hardcore lotus fan, I don’t entirely agree with this assessment. Several of these new songs have very spacey, intricate jams and after hearing them live they sound tight and awesome studio version. I hear what your saying about taking a more electronic turn but every band must evolve to stay fresh. These guys have immense talent when it comes to both organic and synthetic music. Not really sure I appreciate the pretty lights reference either :-/

Jessica February 19, 2013, 11:31:23

Agreed. This is off. How could the two even be compared? Lotus has more variety then any band I have ever heard. Evolution is beauty -glowsticks? Nawww.

Michael Urban February 19, 2013, 11:34:41

ATTN: Dean @ RELIX If you want Lotus coverage you should stick with FANS that know what they are talking about :)

Hans February 19, 2013, 11:59:04

Yeah – I’m not sure I totally agree. Something tells me you haven’t seen Lotus perform many of the songs from Build…

matt February 19, 2013, 12:18:59

the writer (justin jacobs) should not be writing about albums or bands he doesn’t know anything about. this article is poor quality. comparing lotus to pretty lights proves in accuracy

KT February 19, 2013, 12:41:48

Nothing about Lotus is Kryptonite. They are purely love and light.

bay February 19, 2013, 12:52:55

yea this is way off. lotus has created their own genre. at the same time their music is so varied

PressTen February 19, 2013, 13:30:32

Glow sticks really? Not a VERY good right up for a VERY great album and band…. This guys doesn’t know anything about LOTUSVIBES!!!

Sam Wiseman March 7, 2013, 06:58:28

Wow you guys sound like a bunch of but hurt babies. Have any of you even listened to the new album. I agree with everything Mr. Jacobs is saying. Lotus is taking their studio work in a new direction, and Mr. Jacobs is being very positive about it. Lotus Vibes is supposed to be about positivity and you guys are trashing his positive review.

Sam Wiseman March 7, 2013, 07:03:37

Matt you don’t know anything. Seriously have any of you even listened to the album? He is not talking trash on the band, he is only saying that this is far away from their roots. If you don’t agree then you people know nothing about Lotus. Now please stop making Lotus fans sound like a bunch of upset little school girls. It’s annoying and pathetic. If you guys are such headd Lotus fans you would shut up and stop making us sound like idiots

Gratefulgberg March 7, 2013, 08:42:47

I think this article was extremely well put. the new album was a dissapointment to say the lease.the sad thing is lotus is now comparible to prettylights since there overall change in sound which i believe started with hammer strike. the writer of this article is spot on with his opinion of the album and makes an excellent point refrencing escaping sargasso sea because that album is the lotus I personally know and love. Clearly yall are just more recent lotus fans.

Lumpy gravy March 7, 2013, 09:14:43

Amen gratefulberg, these dude sound like some new listeners. Escaping Sargasso Sea is the true lotus. Maybe all these edm fans are upset by the comparisons the writer made, but I’m more upset that the review was so positive . It’s all of you who are complaining that ruined lotus and pushed them to trade in bliss for bass wimps and bullshit . Where’s the magic this is just science and robots…. I was in Philly last year for New Years and a girl got raped at the lotus show inside the tent. People were “raging” so hard didn’t even notice and we saw her being carried out during set break and left when I found out what happened to her. So where has that lotus love gone, where has the scene gone…. Taken over by some fucking robot music. ... If you hate on this writer then you don’t know what a real review of this album would look like from a former fan of lotus. .... My review would be its shit, and you should crack open a few glow sticks and drink what’s in them before listening to this album ….. Also I suggest listening to some real music so you can compare because seems like all of you only listen to this type of edm crap…. Peace.

retardo March 7, 2013, 10:03:51

this is the lotus i love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0BxPUkdP0 this is what you’re defending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C8-7ZragaU&list=UUBuE0RE9DXKafBn1p8JJsJA&index=3 not the same and if you cant tell whats good then youll love new lotus but if you like music that does something for your soul and isnt just something to workout to or “rage” to or whatever you folks are into

Jonny March 10, 2013, 13:17:21

I dont know why all of you guys are bitching. The new album is fantastic. Yeah its heavier and more on the electronic side of things but it is unbelievably well thought out, arranged, and produced. Bands styles inevitably change and thats just something you have to choose to embrace or not. I love both styles equally (the soul melting AND the electronic funk). So quit complaining and be happy that theyre exploring new styles and pushing the boundaries of jam-tronica. All of these songs are excellent launchpads for the interstellar jams that they are known for. Just give it a fucking chance. All of you are so damn quick to judge.

Floppyplants March 10, 2013, 16:05:51

For all the heads who know what the TRUE jazzy grooves of Lotus really are, feel blessed. That time has passed, the band has evolved, and they are giving the molly kids their bass. No longer are they playing that funky, jammy, take-you-on-a-fucking-journey type of music. They have progressed and evolved to a more electronic side of music. Luke has been playing less secondary guitar, and been leaning over the keys less. All that being said, Lotus still is, and remains my favorite music for my soul. At their shows they always do a great job of mixing old and new, although I’ve noticed even the older jams aren’t as groovy and funky. Try and see a 21+ show in Colorado or California and they always play more of the oldies. I saw an all ages show in Lake Tahoe in April last year, then turned around and saw them the next night in San Francisco. All ages vs 21+ headies… night and day. This is for sure my least favorite Lotus album. With the exception of the title track, Build Break Burn and Neon Tubes Part 1, this is completely removed from the Lotus of old. I can still bonk my head to these electronic sounds and I think the album itself is well done for what it is, but….. The days of hearing Caywood, Kesey Seed, Slow Cookin’, Kalea, and Marisol are long gone, but the electronic grooves are still infectious… see you all in San Francisco, March 23rd, the Fillmore. Long hair, don’t care.

Justin March 24, 2013, 11:40:51

Honestly, the album is pretty good in my opinion. Different, yes, but bad I don’t believe by any means. The fact that you guys are so butt hurt about someone expressing their opinion is kind of pathetic, in essence isn’t that what a review is? I still enjoy Lotus’ entire catalog and I must give credit where credit is due, Build is a decent album and it is really nothing like Nomad, which I think is great, but if I just wanted a band to keep releasing the same album again and again I would listen to something on the top 40.