Loukeman – Sd-2 (Top Albums of 2024)

Loukeman’s second album, Sd-2, part 2 of his trilogy (supposedly, hopefully) is rambling and euphoric. It is a mixed bag of acoustic guitar, early ‘00s dance synths, chopped-up vocal samples, and heavy bass joining together to carry you across a dreamy and compelling wash of sounds. 

At its core, it has a club feel but lends more to heavy, emotional, somewhat moody swaying rather than jumping and fist bumping. There are pulsing bass lines such as in “Ride” and “Won’t U,” but they are dark and brooding and build in a swirling, atmospheric sense. When you think there might be a drop into something more four-on-the-floor leaning, a new pad and some background textures are introduced instead. 

The ethereal breakbeats on “Idrk” are akin to Vegyn or Headache, paired with percussive breaths and deep kicks that feel like the music exists within the pit of your belly rather than something outside of you. 

There are parts of the album that do make you want to nod your head; the kicks in “Baby You’re A Star” and “Real Life Man,” are thumping… in a way, but they err on the side of subdued and subtle. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I do think the reserved nature of much of the album, with limited rises and arcs means that it teeters into the realm of very good background music. 

My brain is absolutely tickled by the “Take” into “Snoopy’” transition, two songs that should never be listened to separately. Subdued in the most perfect and beautiful way, they lead me to feel like I am floating on a cloud and that nothing bad has ever happened to me. 

The album has a very ‘soundcloud’ feel to it. While I do find the music to be touching, I would love to see what more the Toronto producer is capable of, if he will ever lean into more structured music, or an album that uses high points and low points, rises and falls to tell more of a story.