The first solo album from Chicano Batman frontman Bardo is a neon splash of synths and beats as Everywhere Reminds Me Of Space cascades like a pacific sunset before flittering through the bright Los Angeles lights, dancing until dawn.
The slow minimalist groove of “Take My Hand” starts the album and sets the tone as the joyous singing from Bardo floats around the Casio keyboard sounds. Musically things pick up speed for the driving “All Into The Red” before Bardo uses various vocal effects during “Monday Morning” which also displays a buzzing extended outro.
There are a few songs that would fall directly in place with his full band as both “Patterns of Being” and “The Sun Woman” groove in that style while the latter features a powerful spoken word delivery from Jaqueline Martinez. Bardo himself delivers an engaging storytelling spoken-word piece for “How The Rhythm Came To Me” backed by wah-wah guitars, congas, and more electro keys.
The most intriguing offering is the warbling future sounds of “Neon Light”, bumping with a neo soul groove while Bardo goes through his vocal ranges before the track drifts out into the cosmos. The warped lounge closer “New Day” transports the proceedings back to earth with a cheery smirk and strong vocals.
Chicano Batman’s breakthrough 2017’s Freedom Is Freedom is a fantastic mix of classic R&B and South American rock influences while their most recent offering Invisible People played more like a pop-dance album. Bardo’s solo debut, Everywhere Reminds Me Of Space, pushes that vibe even further out onto the dance floor with synth-pop drenched shininess.
