★★★☆☆
Luke Blair doesn’t give into the bravado of a chest out-rapper with a statement like that. The context to Lonely at the Top does deal in loneliness though, an enigmatic clash of electronica defined by a lack of sympathizers, seemingly having it all but unable to conquer insecurities.
Beginning as a lounging blur and fade of color, unsteady on its feet after popping one too many corks as the classiness bedraggles come the end of the evening, Lukid strikes out with disjointedly echoing episodes. Cold sweat rains from its temples as “Manchester” sends chillwave’s temperature plummeting, a straggle of sounds and misted tangles meaning emotions are contradictory. Wallowing one minute to the beatless humbling/detox of “Snow Theme,” Lukid then parks himself next door to the boomingly irrational dubstep/techno “This Dog Can Swim.”
Jumping from one emotion to the next in pretty quick time could stereotype Lukid with a convenient label of ‘just’ being a complex character. Lonely at the Top has troubles, both figuratively and with its flow pushed and pulled, but is seeking to get better and always treats ears. “Riquelme” reaches deep house with a sore head, yet “USSR” and “The Life of the Mind” are much more calming influencers. Blair has a decent album of melancholy electronica that avoids sounding washed out, while being peppered with aggravated blows that play their part.
File under: Anenon, Arclight, Actress