FRED DEAKIN

Ex-Lemon Jelly man fulfils his dream dystopian concept LP.

Post-apocalyptic concept albums are not exactly thin on the ground in prog these days, and a fair few feature a similar fictional premise to that which former Lemon Jelly electronic quirkster Fred Deakin depicts on this crowdfunded affair. Humanity has been forced to emigrate to other planets but a few brave souls are trying to save the quaint old Earthly ways of life. But this is no lyrically impenetrable, musically complex magnum opus. Instead, The Lasters sometimes sounds more like a radio play set to some pleasant lightweight pop than a traditional rock record, and at

least that gives an intriguing tale space to breathe. The plot also thickens nicely: as the “true earthers” begin to look increasingly like a cult, the wistful synth pop behind Come To Me offers disarmingly infectious accompaniment, and elsewhere, Abi Sinclair’s sweetly girlish voice suits the bittersweet nostalgia of I Remember and The End Of The World. And there’s some deliciously black humour underlying

Just Our Best, in which the girl’s parents apologise for destroying the planet with nothing but good intentions.

All of which helps make this a likeable and unusual prog pop musical.