A Sonic Journey Through Post-Rock and Jazz Nuance
listen to the article
Toronto’s own Alex Lakusta, a bassist-composer with a knack for marrying post-rock’s expansive landscapes with jazz’s intricate textures, presents his latest single, Island Ghosts Pt. 2
. This instrumental piece is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, striking a balance between meticulous composition and emotive delivery.
In Island Ghosts Pt. 2
, Lakusta crafts a narrative that’s rich and evocative, a testament to his ability to “tell an abstract love story without words.” The track invites listeners on a sonic exploration, starting with intimate, glassy textures that gradually grow into an anthemic, cathartic peak. It’s music that beckons late-night introspection, the kind that pairs perfectly with endless stretches of highway or a quiet moment of focus.
Crafted for his six-piece ensemble, Lakusta’s piece unfolds in four distinct acts: the awakening, the ascent, the apex, and the afterglow. This structure provides a musical arc that feels both cinematic and deeply human. Patrick O’Reilly’s guitar shimmers with a quiet intensity as it echoes against the backdrop of Keagan Eskritt’s driving drum rhythms. Add to this the luminous lines from Patrick Smith’s tenor saxophone and Christian Antonacci’s trumpet, and what emerges is a conversation between instruments that is vivid and dynamic.
The production, helmed by Robert Diack, ensures each layer is meticulously placed, allowing the music to breathe and swell naturally. Darren McGill’s recording expertise and Noah Mintz’s mastering finesse further enhance the track’s widescreen impact, resulting in a piece that feels expansive and alive with possibility.
Lakusta’s music has always been anchored in a unique intersection of genres. Having established his distinctive voice with his 2022 debut Transmit Slow, he continues to expand his sonic vision with Island Ghosts. This single epitomizes Lakusta’s commitment to craft and emotion, embodying a slow-burn, reverb-drenched glow that lingers long after the final notes fade.
For fans of Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai, this single will resonate deeply, yet it maintains its own identity with jazz-infused elements that make it equally suitable for playlists focused on cinematic soundscapes or deep-focus environments. With a runtime of 4:31, Island Ghosts Pt. 2
is a study in restraint and release, where every note serves a purpose.
Lakusta’s work is an invitation to engage both mind and heart. It’s more than just music—it’s a reflection of the spaces between moments and the emotions those spaces evoke. His bass anchors the ensemble, providing a steady yet flexible foundation upon which the textures of guitar, horns, and keys can soar.
As Island Ghosts Pt. 2
marks the next chapter for Alex Lakusta, listeners are offered a chance to experience a world where sound transcends traditional boundaries. In this realm, Lakusta continues to prove that the language of music, though wordless, speaks volumes.
If you would like to submit your music for playlist or feature consideration, please submit here via our partnership with MusoSoup.
