Skylab 3 – A View From Above

Electronica consenting to outer space and keeping G-forces in check...

The distance between walking on the moon and keeping your feet on the ground is closer than you think. Ben Frascina, essentially stargazing from two different vantage points as Skylab 3, adds traction to weightless electronica that paddles in seas of tranquillity. Structurally watertight throughout 16 cycles, rarely does it illustrate the loneliness of travelling in zero gravity.

Given that chillout is essentially a solo, isolated construct, it’s commendable, if a little surprising – okay, it might not be enough to instigate a mass sleepover, but it’s provides a level of interaction (in part thanks to Frascina owning a B-Boy membership) for sticky nights in by yourself rather than just fading into the ether. It is better to be fascinated than be fearful of the unknown – and comfort comes from the album working around familiar ways of chillout, cold fresh air and digital drowse.

‘Those Who Have Seen Angels’ is perhaps the nearest reflection of no-one being able to hear your sob soft tears. Otherwise the radiating warmth (‘Dying Afternoon Light’, a chillout model with the potential to go far – you can’t keep balmy brass down), the stoking of the furnace (‘Swarm Intelligence’ displaying some mild vitriol) and a wide-eyed/widescreen perspective mixing awed hush and fixed glares from distance, are elements you won’t withdraw by. ‘Orca’ pretty much runs through all of these by itself as Frascina attempts a rousing conclusion/explanation, with a psychoanalyst/alien probe in human form telling you “you’re hallucinating”. Maybe the whole experience was a Bobby Ewing episode all along.

In places it also sounds worldly rather than out of this world – see ‘Canopy’, through use of those tried and tested downtempo aromas – and any kinks or digital scrappiness are readily smoothed out (‘Life Forms’ pitting burnt synths against graceful washes is Skylab at his grittiest). You can keep your intergalactic Christs. From where Frascina’s standing, ‘A View from Above’ looks pretty good.

7/10

Words: Matt Oliver

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