LA-based songsmith Silas Short finds solace in the complexity of emotions on LUSHLAND. He takes Wonderland track-by-track through the potent debut album.
Somewhere amid life-affirming and crushingly visceral, LUSHLAND, the debut album from enigma Chicago-raised, LA-based creative Silas Short, is demanding and daring. Soulful yet immersive, the work draws from the singer-songwriter and producer’s previous canon, but progresses it fearlessly.
“LUSHLAND, being my first LP release, is an evolution of the previous EP “Drawing”,” the artist tells Wonderland. “This record leans into a more mature and dark approach over its predecessor while maintaining a semblance to the original sound. Gaining most of the inspiration from late 90’s and early 2000’s R&B, LUSHLAND embodies a recollection of the old while bridging a more contemporary approach to typical neo soul sound. I hope this record footholds itself as the beginning to a much more expansive sound in the future on my ever-growing and changing artistic journey.”
A resolute and dramatic depiction of the complexity of emotion atop encapsulating and deftly produced soundscapes, Short’s inaugural album is a statement of measure. Below, he takes Wonderland through the opus, track-by-track.
Listen to LUSHLAND…
Read the track-by-track…
“JUSTA DREAM”
“JUSTA DREAM” was actually the last track I made for the album, but it sets the tone for everything else. It’s got this dreamy and intense aesthetic with trippy lyrics and a beat built from a bunch of samples—an immediate and immersive intro into the world of LUSHLAND.
“ILIKEU”
Being heavily inspired by The Roots 1999 song “Dynamite!” and Prince’s “Musicology”, this track is a catchy pickup with a more traditional song structure. The punchy and fiery funk sound across the heavily swung beat and catchy chorus stands is a contrast to the more dark moody sound of the record. Miraculously, during the recording process of the record, Peanut Butter Wolf was able to get The Roots keyboardists virtuoso James Poyser to add background keys before the final cut was made—a full circle reference to the original inspiration. This moment was an incredible honor to have shared music with a man who essentially shaped some of my favorite sounds.
“PH0NECALL”
Next is a transition track which dives into feelings surrounding deep insecurity and fear. Originally this song was based on my experience moving from Chicago to L.A. while keeping close contact with many of my friends back home via phone. Many of those calls included conversations on failure while pursuing my dream as an artist in L.A. . During the recording process and not quite getting the concept together, I was feeling the pressure of those recent calls. I went downstairs to Goldline (a vinyl bar below Stones Throw) from STS (Stones Throw Studios) to get some inspiration. After a lengthy conversation over drinks with “Justin Phonecalls”, a resident DJ at the time, on insecurity and how it can be such a big distraction from the bigger picture, I was inspired to continue tracking the song through the night. This in turn all came together as a dedication and full circle concept for this piece.
“LUSHLAND”
The title track and one of the record’s highlights takes a turn to a more yearning and graceful tone being a letter to a former lover. The song lyrically never repeats as most of the lyrics were sung before written. This feels to me the most raw form of emotion across the project.
“L-TRAIN”
One of the most visual tracks on the record, “L-TRAIN” serves as a birds eye view of society from the perspective of my experiences on Chicago’s L. During my years in Chicago working and depending on public transportation, I would constantly observe and people watch. This inspired the inquisitive nature of this song as the lyrics lay over many possible perspectives of the people taking the train. I relate it to myself and my relationship with following my dreams, and how others have different relationships with theirs in such a vulnerable and chaotic environment.
“PASS ON BY”
Stands as another thematic letter to a lover on the feelings of leaving a tumultuous relationship. My musical inspiration for this song was a mix of Erykah Badu, Bob Marley, and The Smiths, culminating into this song’s very genre ambiguous sound.
“GUY”
Another personal favourite, and one of the moodiest songs on record. I played everything but drums on this track. The stark contrast between the verses and choruses portray the feelings of being deeply in love while simultaneously feeling confusion over where a relationship stands. This song is a dedication to all the Sade and Erykah lovers out there.
“TIES”
Starting off with a sweet and soft violin medley, “TIES” is one of the last high energy vocal tracks on the record, inspired by Little Dragon and D’Angelo. The melody from the chorus is a sneaky nod to System of a Down’s “B.Y.O.B”. The rhythm section was played live, and you can feel the heavy pocket from that.
“LIKE A CHARM”
One of the jazz-inspired tracks on this album, this piece dives into the rekindling of a former romantic relationship. With its smooth intro, quirky beat and sweet melodic tone, the song reminisces on a past relationship and how easy it is to fall in love again. This song was deeply inspired by the late 90’s Soulquarian production found on “Mama’s Gun” and “First Born Second”. This song’s message is simple –“the way we fall in love is like a charm”
“STRANGE”
A short and sweet lullaby, serving as a vulnerable and stripped back moment.
“AFFIRMATION”
This is a letter to myself about being okay with failure. The track centres around reminiscing on how I used to be happier in my truth, and that things slowly change over time, but rather than those feelings actually disappearing, I know they’ll always be there as a part of me. This is the last song with singing on the record and leaves a bittersweet feeling as the record fades into the outro track.
“WOLF’S BLESSING”
Closing out the track-list is Peanut Butter Wolf scratching with Charizma’s voice, serving as Wolf’s blessing of the record. This is a dedication to the Stones Throw lineage and a thank you to Wolf, winding down into an ambient outro as a quiet goodbye to LUSHLAND.
