Bakersfield, California native Jonah Moon Gallon—now a Portland, Oregon resident—has become quite the musical force as Lucid Child, where '90s influences are manipulated and distorted through his imaginative and unpredictable filter. While drawing comparisons to outfits like Hawkwind, Public Image Ltd. and even Beck, Universe is an extremely unique and intriguing listen that carves out its own path in an artistic, enlightening, and, well, pretty weird sort of way.

After the brief “Opposites_Intro,” which blurs multiple vocals in a spacy setting of modern prog-rock sounds, “Lucy Chill” enters with thick fuzz and a darker atmosphere of experimental pop haze that's as ominous as it is intriguing.

A record with absolutely no shortage of surprises, Universe continues as “The Mighty” moves with adventurous percussion in an almost techno sort of fashion before entering glitchy electronic areas, while title track “Universe” glides slowly and cautiously in a surreal landscape that's dreamlike and even a bit mysterious in its execution.

The back of the record is just as unusual, and includes the alt-rock influenced and vocally strong “Bones,” and the soulful and spirited guitar work of “Dreaming In A Walking Land.” The album exits with “Opposites,” which is a quick display of aberrant pop ideas where repetition is turned into a highly refined art form that you won't forget anytime soon.

Gallon dedicates this album to trippers, lovers of exploration, mind expanding, time traveling and love- all of which sounds about right for his target audience—and he recorded the album in 4 living rooms while playing all instruments as well.

Certainly heavy on ethereal guitars and engaging synth, this trippy, psychedelic and unorthodox venture into the artistic side of pop playfulness should not be missed by anyone who embraces the unconventional, regales in the iconoclastic or just plain likes charmingly strange music.

Rating: B+

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