For some, Vangelis’ Blade Runner soundtrack is the ultimate in futuristic soundscapes. And while that classic score is stark, sweeping and flows easily from one track to the next, Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAlister’s collaboration Planetarium is a complex compilation of baroque rock songs and retro 8-bit sounds that manages to tap into the soul of the cosmos, giving each planet, black hole and comet its own unique feel and presence in the galaxy.
The opening track ‘Neptune’ is unassuming – gentle piano keys offer a sense of floating in the vast expanse of space; there’s nothing hurried about it and it’s a fantastic opener for the galactic journey. ‘Jupiter’, named after the grittier and sassier sister planet, is anything but, with its percussive beats and 8-bit sound samples reminiscent of arcade favorites like Space Invaders. The track’s distorted vocals and repetition of the words “Jupiter is the loneliest planet” does well in reinforcing the isolation of space.
A complex compilation of baroque rock songs and retro 8-bit sounds that manages to tap into the soul of the cosmos.
‘Mars’ taps into more of a sci-fi X-Files narrative with talk of prophesies and so much vocal distortion that it’s hard not to imagine the dialogue coming from aliens seeking to reassure Earth of a non-violent future. ‘Saturn’ contradicts this with its grating Auto-Tune talk of “invisible people” and “vampire creatures’’, moving away from the gentle opener to a cacophony of evil thoughts.
Planetarium is a rich journey into space that’s perfect for late-night drives and staring out into the evening sky.
Planetarium is out Friday June 9 through 4AD/Remote Control.
