Aaron Lee Tasjan - Stellar Evolution
By Soda Canter
Orbiting through an expansive, euphonic soundscape, Aaron Lee Tasjan creates with technicolor abandon, propelling Stellar Evolution deep into the cosmos.
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Aaron Lee Tasjan - Stellar Evolution
Label: Blue Élan Records
Producer: Gregory Lattimer
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Tracklisting:
1. Alien Space Queen
2. The Drugs Did Me
3. Dylan Shades
4. Horror Of It All
5. Pants
6. Ocean Drive
7. Nightmare
8. I Love America Better Than You
9. Roll Your Windows Down
10. Bird
11. Cry Till You're Laughing
12. Young
Orbiting through an expansive, euphonic soundscape, Aaron Lee Tasjan creates with technicolor abandon, propelling Stellar Evolution deep into the cosmos.
By offering aerial observations of his own experiences in a struggling world, he builds a safe space for others in the queer community to do the same. Produced by Gregory Lattimer, the visionary partner of 2020’s Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!, Stellar Evolution delivers on its titular promise, serving as a glittery exploration of all the facets of self with a fully open heart and mind.
Across the collection, Tasjan pulls from a plethora of influences, which serves as a testament to his awe-inspiring abilities in transgressing genres. With echoes of Tom Petty, ‘Alien Space Queen’ blasts off with a hyper, infectious beat that acts as an intergalactic celebration of those living outside the gender binary. On the other hand,‘The Drugs Did Me’ is a throbbing, spoken word meditation that effectively delivers a memorable, cautionary tale.
Where ‘Dylan Shades’ is masterful sonic pop that feels cosmically connected to Robyn’s iconic Body Talk Pt.1, ‘Horror Of It All’ is a thumping exclamation to take pride in oneself with a hooky overlay that lingers. All the while, Funky ‘Pants’ continues the self love declaration with Tasjan delivering his most inspired Bowie-like vocals.
On ‘I Love America Better Than You’, Tasjan returns to his roots for an acoustic protest, but never with relinquishing hope. This duality is seen within every corner of the solar system that he has so tenderly built, suggesting that within moments of darkness there is indeed light. This is, perhaps, why Stellar Evolution shines so brightly.
Tasjan is a master at dissecting critical moments and bringing them forth in an accessible way that inspires conversation.
Conversations that can lead to understanding.
Understanding that can bring hope.
Now, wouldn’t that be a stellar evolution for us all
8/10
Aaron Lee Tasjan’s 2024 project, Stellar Evolution, is available everywhere on April 12 via Blue Élan Records.
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