Album Review: St Lucia ‘Matter’

New York pop-synth band St Lucia, led by Jean-Philip Grobler, have been making their mark on the electronic music scene since 2011, and they’re set to ride their latest album ‘Matter’ to the next level.

‘Matter’ is a smooth blend of 11 catchy 80s pop tunes, each infused with plenty of electronic flavour. With its endless energy and upbeat vibes, this is the perfect album for your next cardio workout. The genius of ‘Matter’ is in its timeless simplicity: St Lucia have added just the right amount of sparkle to make it interesting without burying the listener in glitter.

“St Lucia have added just the right amount of sparkle to make it interesting without burying the listener in glitter.”

Track one, Do You Remember, will have you dusting off your record collection and reliving the glory of the 80s. The drums are the hero of this classic pop anthem, and the perfect complement to Grobler’s punchy vocals, while the synthesiser adds an extra kick of retro flavour.

Home is the perfect example of a disco party track. If vitamins and kale smoothies aren’t quite doing the trick, add this track to your morning playlist and feel the endorphins kick in – the quick drumming and relentless synth rhythm will get you pumped up and feeling ready for anything.

The third track, Dancing On Glass, brings an infectious offbeat rhythm together with catchy synthetic fillers and fascinating lyrics, “How long till we learn dancing is dangerous? How long till we find the devil inside of us?” It’s bound to have some deep meaning, but even if it doesn’t strike a chord, the tune will stay with you for hours.

The good vibes just keep flowing with Physical, another dance track that sounds like something straight out of a trendy nightclub in the early 90s. The guitar, synthesiser, and simple harmonies ensure all bases are covered, and the chorus will have you shamelessly busting out the moves around your house.

Track five, Game 4 U, boasts the most modern sound on the album thanks to a genius combination of understated synth, pan flute, and classy, subtle saxophone. It has to be said that the vocals around the chorus are a bit vanilla, but the pulsing bass synth keeps the tune pumping along. If you’re in the right mood for it, this will be in your head all day.

“Game 4 U, boasts the most modern sound on the album thanks to a genius combination of understated synth, pan flute, and classy, subtle saxophone.”

The Winds Of Change stands out with a softer start, and maintains its relatively laid-back vibe throughout. It’s quieter than its predecessors with minimal thrashing and less emphasis on the drums, but it’s just as loveable. The cool harmonies and alternative sound effects work well together while the simple repeated melodic pattern creates a comfortable groove for your ears to nestle into.

Love Somebody bridges the gap between the old and the new using a classic RnB recipe that never goes out of style. This track puts a timeless formula to work with its smooth vocal harmonies, simple instrumentation, and effortlessly cool syncopated drum rhythm – think old-school Usher.

The next track is the perfect antidote to Love Somebody’s chilled-out sound.  Rescue Me will get you in the mood for an action-packed movie scene, a flashmob sequence, a seriously epic road trip, or all of the above with its strong instrumental opening. The long build-up will have you waiting in anticipation for the vocals, which Grobler delivers with refreshingly understated style.

Stay keeps the energy up with its non-stop pulsing beat and infectious jungle-inspired rhythms. Sudden key changes have been woven in with such skill that they come as a pleasant surprise rather than a rude shock. The smoothness of the vocals is the cherry on top of this track – Grobler’s clean, crisp falsetto is reminiscent of Empire of the Sun’s vocalist Luke Steele.

“St Lucia’s skill and experience shine in this album, and if all goes to plan for the band, it may be only a ‘Matter’ of time before 80s pop-synth makes a comeback on the mainstream music scene.”

Simplicity is a major calling card in Help Me Run Away – thanks to repetition in the chorus, it won’t be easy to forget the name of this catchy tune. A fast beat coupled with simple vocals and lyrics, bright cheerful chords, and fluttering electronic scales makes this song easy to listen to, but not so easy to forget.

The band strikes a skilful balance between tough and delicate with their closing anthem Always. A classic rock drum beat combines well with the synthetic background notes, forming a solid frame for the bass guitar and vocals. The chorus sounds vaguely similar to the Bon Jovi classic by the same name, which is just another reason to love it.

St Lucia’s skill and experience shine in this album, and if all goes to plan for the band, it may be only a ‘Matter’ of time before 80s pop-synth makes a comeback on the mainstream music scene.