Title: Solar
Label: Lone Romantic
Product Type: VINYL LP

Originally released in 2017, the second album from the acclaimed US DJ and producer Maceo Plex gets a 2021 repress on clear vinyl. The 'Solar' album allowed Maceo to utilize the long format to explore and expose his less explicitly club leaning and more reflective side, taking the listener on a journey through shades of electronica, techno, breakbeats, dub and more. Named after his son Solar, the album also chronicles his new found fatherhood; 'the ups and downs in the first few years and it's effects on life, marriage and more'. There's still dancefloor suitable music within the album; opener 'Sparks of Light's propulsive drums make for an attention grabbing first track, just as the driving 4/4 bassline of closing track 'The Tesseract' is a memorable climax. 'Polygon Pulse' also features the hefty low end that Maceo has become known for, yet underneath breakbeat style drums and sighing vocal snippets. Vocals are a prominent defining feature of 'Solar' that mark it out as a departure towards more of a home listening, experimental album. 'Indigo' marries Maceo's characteristic signature sounds with a slower tempo and gritty male vocals for a stirring, downbeat piece of indie electronica, whilst following track 'Separation's breathy vocals and subtle D&B cymbals feel more relaxed. 'Kepler's Journey' marks a stylistic break midway through the album, before the vocoded vocals of 'Solar Wind' and 'Wash Away My Tears' (the 12' mix of which was included in the Solar Sampler) bring to mind a forward thinking, indie take on French touch. Elsewhere, the lilting, dub techno influenced 'Swan Dive' sees this effect take on a more eerie, thoughtful tone.