The eccentrically transcendent sonic signature of The Flaming Lips meets the quiescent polyphonia of Grandaddy in Jason Choi’s latest single, Under the Big Light. The independent Floridian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist leaned into indie’s avant-garde fringes through a release that carries wistful melancholy and gently surreal warmth in perfect equilibrium, exhibiting how Choi has long been an artist inclined towards introspection, and Under the Big Light feels like a natural extension of that eloquence with candour.
Like a melancholic lullaby narrated in synth strokes, the track moves with a tender emotional cadence. Vocals drift with a sincerity and inflexions that will tug firmly at the heartstrings of fans of Neutral Milk Hotel. Rather than relying on grand gestures, the production cultivates a sense of closeness; the instrumentation circles softly around the vocal lines, creating the feeling of stepping into a small yet emotionally expansive world.
Intimacy into the contours of the quaint vulnerability embedded in the production, compelling listeners to lean into the rare opportunity for true connection, as feelings bloom naturally, giving the song its contemplative glow while maintaining a subtle avant-garde character.
Choi’s musical path stretches back to the early days of Florida’s DIY scene, where he first began performing solo before expanding his sound with his backing band, the Sea. Over the years, his songwriting has returned again and again to themes of hope, faith, and human connection, shaped through personal reflection and lived experience.
Under the Big Light carries those themes with sincerity, offering listeners a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the fragile beauty woven through everyday life.
Under the Big Light is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.
Review by Amelia Vandergast