Phasor by Helado Negro, alias Roberto Carlos Lange, is a profound exploration of melancholy, introspection, and the complexities of human emotion, set against a backdrop of lush, experimental soundscapes.
Released under the iconic 4AD label, Phasor marks another significant milestone in Lange’s career, showcasing his evolution from the crisp, optimistic beats of Far In to a more pensive and contemplative mood that characterizes this latest work.
Lange’s journey through various geographical and musical landscapes, from his roots in Florida to a significant period in Brooklyn, and his brief relocation to Texas, has deeply influenced his musical output.
His music, a reflection of his rich cultural and ancestral heritage, has progressively turned more personal and intimate. This development is evident in Phasor, where Lange delves into themes of childhood, pain, joy, and especially, the power of relational love, centered around his relationship with visual artist and wife, Kristi Sword.
The technical prowess Lange brings from his background in Computer Art and Animation lends Phasor its intricate production quality. His visit to the SAL-MAR Construction Synthesizer, a pioneering music synthesis engine from the early ’70s, provided a wealth of sounds that form the album’s foundation. This encounter underscores the album’s blend of human and machine, a characteristic theme of Lange’s work, emphasizing the unpredictable outcomes of this interaction.
Vocally, Lange opts for a delivery that emphasizes emotional conveyance over clear linguistic meaning, a technique that allows his messages to resonate on a more instinctual level with listeners. This approach is particularly effective across Phasor‘s tracks, from the dreamy lullabies to upbeat yet melancholic bangers, showcasing his unique ability to blend delicate vocal fragility with vibrant energy.
Tracks like “LFO (Lupe Finds Oliveras)” and “Echo Tricks Me” stand out for their innovative narratives and sonic landscapes, while “Wish You Could Be Here” and “Es Una Fantasia” encapsulate Lange’s exploration of love, loss, and existential doubt against the ever-demanding backdrop of the modern world. The album navigates these themes with a mix of directness and obliqueness, employing a rich tapestry of sounds that range from loungey grooves and lo-fi synths to the abstract solemnity of the closing tracks.
Phasor is characterized by its moodier sounds and broader exploration of psychological states, balancing resilience and sorrow with a masterful touch. The album’s narrative arc, from the opening tracks’ buoyancy to the closing tracks’ introspective solemnity, paints a picture of an artist grappling with the dichotomies of existence—love and fantasy, enchantment and reality.
In essence, Phasor stands as a testament to Helado Negro’s maturing artistry and his continuous quest to explore the depths of human emotion through music.
It’s a journey that invites listeners into Lange’s introspective world, offering a sonic experience that is as complex and mercurial as the emotions it seeks to explore. As such, Phasor is not just an album but a multi-faceted exploration of the human condition, rendered in the unique auditory palette that is Helado Negro’s signature.
