Space Dance is a fantastic journey through electronic space-pop from New York-based project Elevated Focusion, melding infectious and atmospheric productions with dynamic vocal presences that span from soulfully melodic charm to conversational intensity. Fond of whirring arpeggios, propulsive rhythms, and layered synth textures, the album channels both late-night club energy and cosmic introspection, creating a universe where danceable momentum meets whimsical, space-centric lyricism. It’s an excellent follow-up to last year’s album, Dark Nights.
A riveting entry ticket to the world of Space Dance, “Space Station Bugout” weaves soulful vocal confidence with whirring synth arps and head-nodding rhythmic immersion. The vocals alternate between expressively melodic flair and climactic spoken-word intrigue, with the latter apparent in the initial scene-setting thumping. “Now it’s time, to get wild,” the vocals then invigorate, dazzling in the layered differences between the singing and speaking. The concluding “I’m buggin’ out” refrain is especially mesmerizing, mixing the uptick in vocal intensity with synthwave-friendly tonal atmospherics.
Elevated Focusion continue to enthrall on the subsequent “Drugs and Outerspace,” whose infusions of brass alongside a fervent vocal drive proves commanding. One of the album’s most intense, dynamic efforts, “Drugs and Outerspace” is propelled by an electro-minded backbone and sharp vocal presence, which takes a momentary reprieve after the two-minute mark as the scorching saxophone emerges. The vocal feeling, sounding like a cross of hip-hop intensity and punk vigor, melds seamlessly within this spirited production. “Raving on That Galactic High” keeps riding the infectious vibe — resembling an apt soundtrack to late nights clubbing across the galaxy, this time with soaring vocal theatrics exuding “dance all night” aspirations amidst effervescent synth builds.
The glistening, bustling vibrancy shifts into a darker emotion as “I Dream of Eden” takes hold, channeling a more yearning vocal tone while still exuding a charismatic, melodic appeal. Carpe-diem thematic sentiments, with a starry-eyed hopefulness, bolster apt space-minded lyricism: “Saturn’s rings, earthlings, space love…” they let out, into a title-bearing hook that sounds like a cross of Erasure and Depeche Mode. Then arrives the album’s magnetic title track, shifting back into the modern, bubbly synth-pop dreaminess, reminding fondly of Magdalena Bay in its ethereal vocal sweetness and weightless electronic allure.
The standout tracks flow consistently throughout, from the spoken-word narration wonderment within the bursting “Planetary Exploration” to the multi-layered vocal ardor of “Unfamiliar Eyes.” The latter struts a rock-touched outpouring in the upfront vocal emotion and lingering guitar distortion, showing an entirely new side of the project. Album finale “Haunting Feeling” concludes it all with sating impact, with its truth-seeking lyricism venturing into impassioned “lost in space, I find myself” catharsis; the mixture of lonesome, spacey synth intrigue and blistering vocal passion makes for an affirming send-off to this fantastic album from Elevated Focusion.
Space Dance is out on October 18th.
