Arrange - Five Years with the Sun
When Five Years with the Sun was first introduced, Malcom Lacey called it his "goodbye letter to South Florida." The difficult part about having statements like this though, is how closely we may choose to hold the respective artist to that statement. To do so in this case allows Five Years to play out much like a book of memories. The details range in how they are presented, but the affair is personal nonetheless. Much like Plantation, Lacey pulls the listener close to his own thoughts and images. Yet there is also an ethereal nature to this EP that makes it much more dreamlike. It's a blurry line between memory and dream, but Lacey chooses to indulge in this space and create a complete piece.
It's important to mention that Lacey's lyrics are still one of his strongest assets. The way they draw listeners into his thoughts is essential to giving context to this EP. Lacey brings dreams to the forefront on "Streams / At Night," asking which one will finally be "the one that pulls me underneath / the porcelain sea." The way each word is whispered strengthens this closeness. In addition, the song carries brighter textures with it, feeling like a bona fide pop song.
A track that best captures the sunny, dreamy atmosphere is the instrumental "Airplane Notes." Even without lyrics, Lacey is able to place the listener indefinitely into the landscape of his choosing. The track feels like a sleepy Koyaanisqatsi, sending the listener over the world comfortably on a cloud. It's a strength that, while not often used, is always a pleasant surprise for such a soft-spoken vocalist.
On the flip side, Lacey is also more daring with his vocals. "Gone with the Snow" also plays into the bright atmosphere, but with a curious manipulation of the vocal track. It's an uncharacteristic turn from Lacey's typically breathed lyrics, but does play well with the ethereal theme of Five Years. "Cure," on the other hand, shows Lacey becoming more confident. He cries out amid the sharper tones of what is unmistakably a darker memory.
Part of the appeal for such a young artist is where he or she has already taken us. Since the release of Plantation, Lacey has captured many listeners. But with that in mind, a bigger draw might be where he will take us next. With the engaging dreamscape of Five Years, Arrange can be separated from any number of the bedroom artists that make themselves readily available through Tumblr. Lacey seems to know this himself. The last like of closer "Sun Showers" is open-ended: "The way I felt when I first heard it say." Amid the songs melody, it sounds like an encouraging sentiment. Like waking from a dream, we've all come back to the present to eagerly await the next step.
