After years of eclectic singles, London artist Lava La Rue has commenced a new chapter with their debut album, ‘STARFACE’. Inspired by the idea of making a lesbian version of Ziggy Stardust , ‘STARFACE’ is an expansive space romp filled to the brim with international features, slick neo-psychedelic grooves, and abundant sci-fi synths. This is a record with so much to say that the best advice is to simply listen to it yourself.
Over the course of the 17 tracks, Lava takes us on a sonic wormhole adventure , one that cannot be experienced second-hand. The eponymous Starface is a genderfluid alien who falls to Earth and discovers humanity with fresh, innocent eyes. Told through glittery, twinkling keyboard flourishes and Lava’s confident, vivacious vocals, Starface observes humans love, destroy, and love again.
Opening with the groovy ‘Better’ featuring Cuco, Starface announces themself as a curious, optimistic alien discovering the beauty of Earth. Lava’s trademark sanguine vocals murmur “Are you gonna sink or swim/swim!/Ride the wave or let it consume you baby?/Ride!” over a slick bassline and sonorous brass section. On ‘Manifestation Manifesto’, Starface half-sings-half-speaks the chorus over a retro guitar solo and a starlight keyboard twinkle.
— — ‘Manifestation Manifesto’ is a call to action: Starface is here, and they are ready to see what humanity has to offer. While mostly a bildungsroman of Starface’s journey, the record features a coll.