You Can Be My Wave

Following last year's directorial outing, the multi-disciplined artist Steven Ellison (also known as Flying Lotus) returns to electronic music with a vibrant, frenzied new EP titled BIG MAMA. Marking the first major release on his own Brainfeeder imprint, the project is a thirteen-minute suite that, while divided into chapters for easy navigation, demands to be consumed as a single, holistic experience. More than just a collection of fleeting moments, BIG MAMA plays like the definitive score to a high-stakes, action-packed adventure game that is bright, colourful, and excitingly frantic.

The journey begins with the title track, a brief but energetic intro defined by swirling synth arpeggios and breakbeats that beg you to 'Press Start.' From there, we transition into CAPTAIN KERNAL, which opens with a watery, ambient cavernous hum before the adventure truly starts. Resonant chords and agile synth runs create a sense of forward motion and curiosity, effectively pulling the listener into the game world. The tension spikes with ANTELOPE ONIGIRI, a restless, disorienting highlight that refuses to settle on a single motif. It's a thrillingly chaotic section that concludes with suspenseful fanfare, perfectly mimicking the palpable sequence of unlocking a loot chest. This is balanced by the spellbinding IN THE FOREST - DAY, which pivots into a nostalgic, 8-bit NES aesthetic reminiscent of early Final Fantasy soundtracks.

The stakes escalate during the back half of the EP. BROBOBASHER starts with minimal, pounding percussion that gradually introduces conflicting noises and harmonic content, culminating in a series of shredding synth runs that sound prog-rock inspired. This leads directly into HORSE NUKE, where the combination of the ominous intro, resonant bass booms, anxiety inducing instrumentation, and intimidating, ghoulish chuckling culminates in a scene that is truly fitting for a final boss battle. The suite closes with PINK DREAM, an escape sequence that utilizes musical motifs commonly understood to mean that time is expiring. It's a frantic dash to the finish line that keeps the heart rate high until the very last second.

If there is one minor critique, it's that the ending feels slightly abrupt. Given how cinematic the progression of the project feels, I feel like the project could have benefited from a bit of 'credits' music; a moment of resolution to signal the adventure is truly over. Regardless, BIG MAMA is a beautifully detailed project with stunning musicality; which for a FlyLo project, should not come as a surprise. Even though the adventure is condensed, the thirteen minute project is captivating enough to have you selecting 'New Game' the moment it fades to black.