☆☆☆☆
Image: Supplied
On her debut album, The Theory of Absolutely Nothing, Sydney-born singer-songwriter Alex The Astronaut (Alex Lynn) delves deep into human experiences. On the record the musician navigates love, loss, friendships and the turbulence of finding your feet in adulthood. Expertly weaving conversational lyricism with upbeat melodies and plucked guitar, the singers emotive vocals shine throughout the album.
Each track on the album tells a different story, some light, some dark. Opening with the joyous Happy Song, the wholesome track explores the period of time in a relationship before it comes to an end. The song sets the scene for the album as a whole. Tracks like Split The Sky, a message of hope that touches on growing up faster than needed, and I Think You’re Great keep up the upbeat and folk-pop sounds. The latter is a tribute to friendship and the importance of checking on our loved ones, whilst Caught In The Middle is a snapshot of friends reconnecting after years apart.
The record explores heavier subjects, such as the ramifications an unwanted pregnancy can bring on Lost, which is followed shortly after by I Like To Dance. The previously released track centres around a fictional couple with an all too real story. The couple represent the staggering number of women who are victims of domestic abuse in Australia. The sensitive yet comforting track is powerful, with the singer giving an unfeigned vocal performance.
I Didn’t Know is one of the sonically darker songs on the record, with grunge undertones in the verses. The track creates one of the most interesting moments on the record with the singer exploring a different avenue of her sound. It also acts as a turning point in the record, with more subdued songs following. Christmas In July has some of the slowest moments on the record, creating a space to really appreciate Lynn’s vocal range whilst she sings of falling in love again. On Banksia, Lynn's vocals are reminiscent of singer Missy Higgins. The raw yet passionate vocals with warm and emotion-stirring guitar chords paint a melancholic view of grief, love and loss.
Closing with the soaring San Francisco, the singer recalls on the beautiful things she’s been fortunate enough to see and witness, closing out the record on a high. On an additional voice note at the end of the record, the singer greets listeners, thanking them for listening to the record, a refreshingly nice end to an incredible album.
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing is a shining debut from one of Australia’s most promising musicians. Lynn’s impeccable storytelling through conversational and honest lyricism perfectly encapsulates the transition into adulthood, and all that comes with it. It is an emotionally intimate, yet dazzling exploration of human experiences.
4/5 Stars
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing is out now!
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