A Lovejoy is Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s 39th solo album since he began firing them out in 2004. In 2017 he has 17 slated for release and no, they aren’t all four track demos tossed off on a tour bus, these (appear) to be fully realized projects, spanning every genre with a Wikipedia page, and more. If A Lovejoy is any indication of the level of quality then Rodriguez-Lopez has created a truly staggering body of work.
A Lovejoy starts out as a hook-riddled synthpop record, with an eccentric, restless energy, occasionally hinting at the cinematic slabs that take over the 12 minute math-y closer. Anyone looking for recognizable traits from his previous bands, won’t find them here, however, some of these tunes are truly danceable, catchy and fun. Fortuned Life is a definite highlight: Rodriguez-Lopez shares vocal duties with Le Butcherettes leader Terri Gender Bender, a song that inches its way into your party and drunk-dances in your kitchen. Transparent is an ‘80s goth banger, covered with enough sleaze and glam to avoid the usual trappings. Often for every pop song, an ambient instrumental follows, perhaps as a way of cleansing the palette for what’s next, and the concept truly works. This is by no means a flawless record, but there are enough great ideas here to a fill his 39th studio release in 13 years.
By Luke Fussell
