Recommended for fans of Toro Y Moi, Bibio and Mild High Club, Helium is the fourth album by Canadian musician Peter Sagar under his Homeshake moniker. A former member of Mac Demarco’s band, Sagar creates dreamy soundscapes with synthesizer, guitar, drum machines and mellow vocals. While it’s tempting to compare his work to Mac’s, Sagar’s music is entirely it’s own thing; a homespun, lo-fi take on R&B and electronica.
Helium is a great name for an album of such spectral beauty, with songs that float away like daydreams, but still leave a lingering impression. They remind me of another artist from the world of outsider electronica: the great Arthur Russell. “All Night Long,” “Just Like My” and “Nothing Could Be Better” have some head bobbing thump, and it’s tracks like these, interspersed with the ambient interludes, that make this a great album for rainy day contemplation, or the world’s chillest slow motion dance party.
Score: 🎈🎈🎈🎈/5
Justin is a lifelong music fan, having spent some of his best years behind the counter of a great record shop. A native New Englander, he’s lived in Colorado, New York City and is now based in Indianapolis with his wife and daughter.