Los Angeles-based musician and visual artist Ben Schneider, known as Lord Huron, has released a new album titled The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, featuring a contribution from actress Kristen Stewart. This collaboration on the track Who Laughs Last highlights the innovative partnership between Stewart and the band, enriching the atmospheric sound that Lord Huron is recognized for.
Album Background and Collaborating Artists
Lord Huron’s fifth studio album was co-produced and written by Schneider along with his bandmates Tom Renaud, Mark Barry, and Miguel Briseño. In addition to Stewart, the album features other notable collaborators including Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, who appears on the song Fire Eternal. The album’s name is inspired by a mysterious device depicted on the cover art, described by Schneider as a machine that raises questions about fate and choice.
What if you could choose your fate like choosing a song on a jukebox? What if your finger slipped and you got the B-side instead? What if you misunderstood the meaning of the dang song to begin with?
—Ben Schneider, Songwriter and Producer
Musical Style and Themes Explored in the Album
The opening track, Looking Back, sets a reflective tone with Schneider’s distinctive vocals layered over gentle guitar, ethereal harp, and shimmering cello. The song explores the impact of the past on the present and future, evoking a haunting mood throughout the album.
Something changed the day you left and I’ll never know just what // I’ll spend my whole life looking up and wondering who I am // Something tells me you and I will never meet again // Gonna see if I can live outside the lines of my body and mind.
—Ben Schneider
Schneider elaborates on the theme behind Looking Back, comparing the influence of one’s past on their current life to cosmic phenomena.
The weight of your past can distort your present and future, the way massive celestial objects warp the fabric of the universe. Like a bowling ball on a trampoline. This song wonders if it’s possible to let go, or if looking back is a fundamental law of existence.
—Ben Schneider
Impact and Reception of ‘The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1’
Since its initial release, singles such as Who Laughs Last and Nothing I Need have been met with critical acclaim, with the latter currently ranking in the Top 10 on Adult Alternative radio. The album highlights Lord Huron’s signature atmospheric sound enhanced by these artistic collaborations, promising a unique listening experience for fans and newcomers alike.
With Kristen Stewart’s participation adding a fresh dimension to the album, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 cements Lord Huron’s reputation for creating thoughtfully crafted music that blends storytelling and ambiance. This release is likely to deepen the connection between the band and its diverse audience, suggesting future collaborations may follow.
