Perfect Pitch: "COSMIC OPERA ACT 1"

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins)

Welcome back to another edition of “Perfect Pitch,” a series where members of the Belmont Vision review the latest releases in music and look for the next big thing. 

This week we’ll be discussing the newest studio album, “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1,” from British producer, songwriter and recording artist Labrinth.

Known for his hit song “Mount Everest” and the work he has done for the soundtracks of both seasons 1 and 2 of HBO’s “Euphoria,” Labrinth has made a name for himself by defining and exploring emotions through a mix of electronic and industrial sounds.

Released on January 30, “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1” delves into the relationship between electronic and symphonic sounds, culminating in a project that, as its name suggests, attempts to feel like an opera from the year 3000. 

Zach Watkins - Arts & Entertainment Editor

Overall Rating: 7/10

General Thoughts: Labrinth’s newest album “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1” is an ambitious blend of the dark electronic sound he's known for and the grand blairs of an orchestra resulting in a piece of work unlike anything else he's done before. 

For the most part the album does a great job balancing the two dominating genres however many times the songs sound too similar to warrant praise for depth. This is made extra disappointing due to the short 28-minute runtime. 

All and all, the experimental album works, however, it doesn't break through the surefire formula that created most of the songs.

Favorite Song: “IMPLOSION”

Least Favorite Song:  “S.W.M.F”

Favorite Lyric: “I feel like, I feel like I'm 10 feet tall; Yeah, you use all the screws I had loose to build us all."

Due to this being “ACT 1,” if there is a second act, how do you think this sound will evolve or expand?

If there is another installation in this musical series I hope to see more variation in the symphonic sounds rather than just the same strings and horns blaring over the entire project. I would also like the “Star Wars” motif to be dropped. Truly I do not know how that added anything to this project. Labrinth’s music is best when creating and showing his individuality and that can’t happen if the album keeps coming back to Jedis and Luke Skywalker.

Anyssa Petak - Vision Writer

Overall Rating: 7/10

General Thoughts: Labrinth does pleasantly well at combining the sounds of the electronic and symphonic genres. While this is personally not the type of genre I typically listen to, I found myself dancing around and enjoying the new album. There are more electronic sounding songs, such as “Debris” or “S.W.M.F.,” that make you feel as if you are in a club or at a dance party. Then, you are met with gospel, soul-sounding songs like “God Spoke” and “Still in Love with the Pain.” They take you to church and put you right in your feels. The feels then stop short because the album stops itself. The length of the album, just under 30 minutes, left me wanting more and slightly confused. The songs build up really well but lead to nothing and leave an unfinished feel to the album. 

Favorite Song: “Still in Love with the Pain” 

Least Favorite Song: “Running A Red” 

Favorite Lyric: “I’m a sinner, I’m a martyr, but I own it like a god, here we go. Watch me Luke Skywalker, tell them b— I’m alive, here we go.”

Due to this being “ACT 1,” if there is a second act, how do you think this sound will evolve or expand?

“Cosmic Opera ACT 1” has left the door open for improvement and evolution. While the album feels short and unfinished, it has good structure. It will be interesting to see what Labrinth does moving forward. Personally, I think more songs like “Into the Black Hole” that really show the vocal range of Labrinth would be a good addition to any future acts.

London Haines - Vision Writer

Overall Rating: 5/10

General Thoughts: “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1” is definitely a unique album. It’s under the category of pop but it seems like its own genre of music. It is different because of its instrumental and electrical shock. I think this solidified the cosmic feel. There are heavy mood shifts throughout certain songs and through the order of the album. I think this is what makes it an “opera”. Labrinth expresses his feelings of being a celebrity and the music industry through symbolic references in choruses. His emotion in his music makes it unique to him. “IMPLOSION” was very clear to me that he was referencing the music industry and I do appreciate him expressing that, then pausing and shifting into how he feels in the midst of it all when he is enjoying its high.

This album would be absolutely perfect for another drama series like “Euphoria,” but is not music I would listen to on a daily basis. Though the loud instrumentals and loud messages compete and make certain parts hard to listen to, I think that was to grab listeners attention. His choice of shock felt intentional. You definitely have to pay attention to the messages in the lyrics to fully appreciate his songs. However, because some background music competes with his voice, some songs are difficult to listen to. “I Keep My Promises” sounds like a really good “Euphoria” song and I like recognizing his signature sound in it. In “Still In Love With The Pain” I really like the backup choir in the second half of the song. With the repeated verse “I know we’re gonna make it out,” background vocals and background clapping  it reminds me of something similar to a gospel song. I noticed that he ended the album with that and “Running A Red,” which, if you listen to the album in order, signified the growth of his emotional journey and development. It raised the spirits of the album and Labrinth making this an ACT 1 shows to me that the emotional journey is not over.

Favorite Song: “Still In Love With The Pain”

Least Favorite Song: “Big Bad Wolf”

Favorite Lyric: “I could crawl, claw, my way back to myself, but the world still holding me hostage."

Due to this being “ACT 1,” if there is a second act, how do you think this sound will evolve or expand?

I think it will be a continuation of his emotional roller coaster from the first act. I would like to hear more of his relation with the music industry. I think he will also get more crafty with his symbolism and messages that he expresses.

Ava Grace Smith - Vision Writer

Overall Rating: 6/10

General Thoughts: Labyrinth isn’t usually an artist I find myself listening to, so keep in mind that I am not familiar with his entire discography to comprehensively compare and contrast this album with. That being said, let’s take a closer look at “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1,” starting with its influences and inspirations. One thing about Labyrinth’s work is that it is authentic and original. This album has a very unique sound which can lead to polarization from listeners. However, the concept of this album is very cool.

Labyrinth set out to mix different mediums of music which would not normally be fused together, to create an album about. In regards to the title, “COSMIC OPERA ACT I,” it’s a clever juxtaposition. I appreciate what he was trying to achieve and I’d say he managed to do that effectively. Art is subjective though, so if you haven’t heard about “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1,” yet and are unsure whether or not you would enjoy something of an abstract genre, I would at least recommend a listen.

My favorite song off the album was probably “Into The Black Hole.” It stood out for me among the rest of the track list. The dissonance of the chords was captivating. The objective for this album seemed to be artistic vulnerability. The songs were not necessarily polished or by-the-book. They were real emotions and an exploration of struggle and identity. The music told a story, and the fusion of various genres illustrated the complexities and dimensions of the human experience.

Favorite Song: “Into The Black Hole”

Least Favorite Song: “IMPLOSION”

Favorite Lyrics: “The roof is on fire, nothing left of me. Party at my house, now it's all debris now it's all debris. Picking up the pieces, just another morning, same old routine. Now it's all debris. I don't know these people, welcome to the ruin, I'm the centerpiece” from “Debris.”

Isabella Kakaty- Vision Writer

Overall Rating: 2/10

General thoughts: Labrinth’s “COSMIC OPERA ACT 1” is very dark and highly cinematic. Labrinth clearly demonstrates his willingness to push creative boundaries. His blending of choir, electronic, and orchestral sounds extend far beyond his earlier pop influences. Although I can appreciate the artist’s creativity and ambition musically, I did not enjoy the intensity and darkness of the lyrics. As a Christian, the contradictory themes and explicit language were off-putting.

Favorite Song: “God spoke”

Least Favorite Song: “Big Bad Wolf”

Favorite Lyric: “Guide my heart to Jerusalem."

Due to this being “ACT 1,” if there is a second act, how do you think this sound will evolve or

expand?

If there is a second act, I think Labrinth will continue to press and challenge expectations. I think the second act will expand upon and potentially conclude the storyline in the first act, as it felt intentionally unresolved. There remains the possibility that the next act could be even more ambitious and experimental than the first.