The CHIEF January 2023

Music Review

By Caroline Paulson

Spirit Phone

There is always something new going on in the music world, from scandals to new singles. After spending some time browsing through new music, both recommended to me and not, I was amazed to see just how many artists have recently released interesting new singles. This article, however, isn’t about anything new. Lemon Demon’s album, Spirit Phone , came out in 2016. It was the bestselling album on Bandcamp the week of its release, and probably my favorite album of all time. With twenty-seven songs, thirteen of which are bonus tracks, this album has a lot to offer. The first song on the album is “Lifetime Achievement Award," a song about a popstar being revived from the dead. It opens with a strong baseline that continues throughout the song, and includes a deep computer-like voice effect in the chorus of the song. On a personal note, this was my most listened to song this year. It includes heavy references to Michael Jackson, including even asking if the pop star being revived remembers him, and stating that he “really happened.” This very fun and ominous song ends with a droning synth and a robotic voice reciting a paraphrased warning from the “Thriller” music video. The next song is called Touch-Tone Telephone, which features strings throughout most of the song, and includes sound effects of a phone’s dial tone. This song is about a man with absurd conspiracy theories trying to get them out to the world. Much lighter in sound and tone, the song’s narrator insists that they are an expert in their field, Ufology. Composed of a string baseline and chorus instrumental, and heavily featuring synthesizer, this is one of, if not the most, popular songs by Lemon Demon. “Cabinet Man,” the third song on the album, is about a man who puts his organs and consciousness into an arcade machine as an attempt to become immortal. Much more energetic and upbeat than either of the last two songs, this was a personal favorite of mine, with it including exciting synth and drum beats. The rest of the songs on the album include just as interesting topics, such as an alien apocalypse, a man who dies under extremely strange and suspicious circumstances, and a ghostly mongoose. If you like synth pop or strange lyrics, this album has something for you. Spirit Phone by Lemon Demon is a strong recommendation to anyone looking for something different than what they’re used to in most music.