Extended Play 020: Luboku - Space Walk

Melbourne electronic music sensation, Luboku has graced us with his debut record Space Walk; an exploratory narrative of the vastness of space and our relationship with it. Feature singles that we have previously covered find themselves in the album, including ‘Pale Blue Dot’ and ‘Lift Off’, arming the record to be a classic just in time for the Australian summer.

As one listens to Space Walk, the wonderment nature of space reveals itself, track by track, building an almost somber, yet wondrous narrative of exploration. ‘Pale Blue Dot’ parts 1 and 2, ‘T-Minus’, cement themselves as the perfect introductory instrumental material for the record, opening up the valves of imagination for the listener. These introductory tracks prove the versatile prowess of Luboku as a producer, with harrowing atmospheres delving into dynamic synthscapes. Next, we are ushered into the vocal performances of the record, including tracks such as ‘Lift Off’, ‘Circles’ and ‘Let You’. The vocals in these songs find themselves nestled in iridescent electronic instruments and deep house grooves. ‘Apollo’ finds itself midway through the album, delivering lustrous arpeggiated synths over an effulgent beat. ‘Two Hands’ features original audio from the Apollo 11 mission, cementing itself as an exuberant track, noting what Luboku now sees ahead of him.

‘Completely’ complements the complexion of the album while pulling itself back, sitting as one of the closing tracks. The song not only displays Luboku’s deftness as a producer, but also a songwriter, with echoed vocals sitting on top of a stripped back electronic guitar. Finally, we approach ‘Solar Flare’, a previously released track used as a close for the record. The instrumental combines the beauty of elongated chord progressions with somber and subdued beats. This delivers the listener into a humbling experience, exploring the fragility of humans as those who exist in the vastness of empty space.

Space Walk isn’t just any other electronic release, but it is an album of exploration, progression, reverence of outer space and provides a stifling outlook on the pale blue dot that we call home. From its nostalgic sonic to its lustrous production, it sets itself up as a marvellous debut album from Luboku and it displays the power of his artistry. We can’t wait to hear what's next!

“With Space Walk, I wanted to use the idea of space travel as an analogy to the human emotional journey, and connect that with tangible fears, desires and obstacles. I think it offers a unique perspective of the issues we’re collectively facing right now, and serves as a reminder to focus and protect what we have, before searching out the new and more exciting.”

— Luboku