Deconstructing what makes us as people who we are is a difficult task. We are each our own individual rhythms, and individual tracks in this album we know as life. For Attia Taylor, the work done on her ambitious record Space Ghost acts as a reflection on her life so far, rediscovering and retexturizing childhood trauma by way of dizzying, dreamlike tracks backed by lush vocals and reverb heavy drums. The overall textures that are created throughout Attia’s first release in almost a decade make this collection of tracks feel like not just a reflection on who Attia is, but a rediscovery of her true self after looking at memories in a newfound light. The psychedelic and experimental stylings found throughout Space Ghost act as a retelling of Attia’s past, but still feels like it acknowledges where she is currently all at the same time. It’s the type of record that feels introspective, personal to the artist, and layers all of these elements with the sense of mystery that will keep the listener engaged throughout.
Attia weaves this mystery through some really unique musical choices on Space Ghost. The first thing that really sticks out upon first listen is the lyrical delivery that Taylor weaves throughout the record. Attia's voice climbs high above the instrumental tracks on a lot of these tracks, making the listener feel like they are surveying her traumatic childhood along in the skies with her. This is especially achieved in tracks like ‘Dog And Pony Show’ and ‘Wanderer’ where Attia’s voice is layered with multiple vocal tracks. It’s the type of song that hypnotizes you with its repetitive nature, but when you peel it back, you start to question what is going on within the walls of what the artist is exactly going through in the particular track. Attia uses repetition to hook the listener inside the song, at times I feel stuck alongside Attia while she’s deconstructing these tough childhood moments, and it feels wonderful, but also I can’t help thinking whether I want to be here for this, because of the lingering mystery within the dream. This technique and concept has a powerful dark hold that Space Ghost has on me that many more experimental-leaning pop artists can learn from.
Instrumentally, there are a lot of great things going on as well, although for me, not as encapsulating as I think the lyrical content and vocal performance is. We get some dizzying keyboards and synth patterns at times combined with a loud snare rhythm acting as a means to ground the listener as they float along past experiences with Taylor. Texturally, I really cannot get over the synths used on this album, because they really are what makes the backing tracks shine for me. The fact that they make the listener feel lost alongside Attia throughout the songs is something that gives the listener that extra surreal feeling that Space Ghost is really trying to communicate.
Space Ghost achieves its goal of being a reflection of Attia’s past experiences and trauma in a way that I rarely see albums do. It feels like a culmination of all of the work that goes into figuring out what makes an individual who they are while looking at the memories that aren't exactly so easy to look back upon. In piecing together the moments that were tough within Attia’s childhood, one can’t help but feel that Attia has taken the time necessary to deconstruct her past and retell her story to the world in a way that feels welcoming, yet deeply personal.
Rating 7.7/10
Favorite Tracks: Alone, Mildest Winner
Least Favorite Track: Wanderer
Listen to Mildest Winner, from Attia Taylor's latest album, Space Ghost below:
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