Fans of Flying Lotus know very well that Steven Ellison draws from a wide variety of influences in his art. On Spirit Box, the influences remain as disparate as ever, resulting in what might be, for him, his most idiosyncratic project thus far. In the past, outer space, anime, and Jean-Michel Jarre would inspire a FlyLo project. This time around, Ellison turns to the supernatural, the underrated, and the mystical. Opener “Ajhussi” begins with the drawn-out Vangelis synthesizers more akin to his usual style. Just as you sink into them, they scatter to make way for a shimmering house beat and chipmunk vocal. A house record, from FlyLo? It’s more likely than you’d think, with the closer “Ingo Swann” offering an equally upbeat, if slightly melancholic, dance sensation. It’s unexpected, which is the only expectation guaranteed from Ellison. “Garmonbozia,” thick and soupy like creamed corn, uses another surprise element: Ellison’s own vocals. 

Across the EP’s midsection, vocals play a significant role, with FlyLo tapping Sid Sriram and Dawn Richard for “The Lost Girls” and “Let Me Cook,” respectively. Sriram lends his yearning vocals to “The Lost Girls”’s galloping percussion, imbuing the instrumental with heart. Speaking from experience, Richard, an industry veteran, demands “Let me cook slow.” Her wish is not an easy one to make, but growth is never an easy thing to undergo. 

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