Beck’s album about heartbreak is an out of body experience.
Beck’s re-release of the album comes in partnership with NASA. The album released Dec. 4, 2020 with new photos and new mixes. If you need to be artistically inspired during the pandemic, I would recommend this album.
According to NME, HyperSpace, produced by Pharell, is Beck’s most collaborative album in which he worked with both Coldplay and Sky Ferreira. The album is a synth-pop masterpiece with heavy, thoughtful lyrics about heartbreak, as the album comes after his divorce. HyperSpace works between the two modes that Beck has established for himself as a surreal, melancholy album.
Throughout the album, Beck replicates the feeling of numbness that often accompanies grief with his opening numbers of “Hyperlife” and “Uneventful Days.” In fact, “Uneventful Days” might have the most impactful lyrics in the whole album, “You might know my name, but you don’t know my mind.” To me, these lyrics carry throughout as Beck questions what it means to be human.
“Chemical” gives us his examination of that question. While it may seem as though he is describing love as something scientific, the lyrics show that love is often merely infatuation and then it simply stops. It’s about moving on and what that looks like. I think these ideas are universal, making this song genius.
This album continues its exploration of love, loneliness and the human condition with its song “Dark Places.” The opening chords that the guitar plays, layered with the synthesizers, set the mood for a song about late-night reflection. It’s the idea that when you’re awake at 2 a.m, loneliness gets you.
Outside of these darker songs, there is an interesting mix of Pharell’s and Beck’s visions which comes cohesively together in a folksy, upbeat song called “Saw Lightning,” with a rhythm that makes you want to jump up and down.
Pharell and Beck’s partnership also seems to let Beck’s vocals float over this album making it different from Beck’s Grammy Award-winning album “Colors.” However, this album veers away from the typical and is very experimental with its sound. Throughout the album, there is this feeling that, in the future, this is what R&B music will sound like in space.
“Die Waiting” is probably the least experimental and sounds like something someone might hear on a spooky TV show and is a great listen for those who are fans of his past albums. It has a peppy, pop feeling mixed with a fun beat.
For me, “See Through” and “Star” were the most forgettable on the album as the synth-pop sound begins to feel a little worn out in these songs. “HyperSpace” has similar problems, but is redeemed by Terell Hines’ wavy rapping section. This rap section created a whole new feel to the song.
“Stratosphere” sounds like floating on cotton candy clouds and hiding from one’s problems. The chill vibes make it the perfect song to put on right before going to sleep.
Again, where Beck’s and Pharell’s styles converge is when the album truly shines. Finishing off with “Everlasting Nothing,” this is the album’s true standout ballad. Beck’s voice is at its best on this track sounding both gritty and gravelly. Beck’s maximalism and Pharell’s minimalism collide to create this beauty, and Beck’s own disillusionment is the highlight of this song.
Beck feels battered in the “Everlasting Nothing,” and it’s apparent once you reach the end of the album. In fact, the emotional journey of this album might leave you feeling weary, but it’s important. It is an authentic look into Beck’s life creating an open, honest album that explores the limits of music and is worth listening to.
The Beat @APU 