Emerald

Rounding out the series of EPs that began with Push (2003) and Inside/Out (2005), Lusine (AKA Jeff McIlwain) is back with Emerald, a set of tracks dedicated to his hometown of Seattle.

Sidestepping the emotional conventions of the ode, McIlwain opts for a visceral, electro-infused rendering of seaboard cityscapes on the title track, while his surgeon’s hand makes a move into pop territory—though just barely—with the meticulously sliced ‘n’ diced vocals of centerpiece “Weaver”. Packed with all the sub-bass kickdrums and deeply-layered details we’ve come to expect from Lusine’s singular sonic architecture, Emerald’s four tracks serve as the perfect final note in a remarkable series of releases.