Orisha Lux - 'Final Flash: Deluxe Edition'

Chicago-based producer and multidisciplinary artist Jordan Thomas, recording as Orisha Lux, expands his electronic palette on Final Flash: Deluxe Edition, a 21-track release featuring seven additional compositions. Building on Chicago’s house heritage while venturing further into liquid drum & bass, deep house, and hip-hop, the project brings together dance-oriented production and the cinematic sensibility that also informs Thomas’ work as a screenwriter and film composer.

Opening the album with spacey, shimmering allure, “Final Form” weaves whirring synth pad entrancement with bass-y rhythmic momentum. Wordless vocal layers adorn the mix with sporadic effect, while the midpoint excels in a whooshing synth element that’s beautifully complemented by glimpses of guitar around 01:23. An enthralling, contemplative soundscape delights there, while ensuing track “Voltage” emphasizes a more infectious house-forward directness. Stutter-y synth swells and deep vocal elements move into a variety of memorable backings, from an illuminated synth pad initially to an eventual arpeggiated infectiousness around midpoints.

The highlights continue consistently throughout. “Afterimage” dazzles in its late-night danceability, infusing soulful vocal aspects that span from wordless vocal layering to “why you gotta look at me like that” questioning. The final minute is particularly absorbing in its swaying bass momentum and additional vocal sample. Also standing out is “Palmisano Park,” aptly opening with a vocal beckoning to let the groove take over and maintaining a head-nodding house/drum-bass convergence, while “Moonstone” is an eclectic gem, reminiscent of Flying Lotus in its range of jazzy rhythmic charisma, dreamy caressing vocal aspects, and hip-hop snippets. Enveloping across house-forward electronics, guitar adornments, and masterful sampling, Final Flash: Deluxe Edition is an excellent output from Orisha Lux.