Lemuria by Optometry

Optometry's sophomore album, Lemuria, is a self-described sci-fi musical diary - a deeply personal record that processes the year's events through introspection and creative exploration.

Optometry is a Los Angeles-based music duo comprised of electronic musician John Tejada and singer March Adstrum. The band focuses on themes of life, love, and loss, weaving seductively melancholic textures together with synths, drum machines, guitars, and bass. Adstrum’s ethereal voice brings the electronics to life with heartfelt expression and emotion, while Tejada’s use of vintage rhythm boxes, synths, and effects provides a solid sense of authenticity.

Diverging from the approach of their debut album, After-Image, this time, the entire project was crafted in person, with John Tejada and March Adstrum sharing the production process equally. The writing unfolded spontaneously as Adstrum drew lyrics from her surreal diary entries, shaping a collection of songs that explore themes of rebirth, loss, and closure.

At its core, Lemuria is a response to anxiety and uncertainty. Faced with upheaval in their personal lives, the duo built their own imaginative world - a refuge from fear and unease. The album’s vulnerability shines through its storytelling, reflecting a journey of letting go and finding resolution. "Fear (is the Mind Killer)" represents a cathartic attempt to break free from feelings of entrapment. "Another Shield" memorializes Adstrum’s grandfather, while "99" delves into a dystopian narrative, rejecting nostalgia in favor of forward motion. The latter uses the metaphor of vanished businesses to underscore the necessity of growth and change.

A line from Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired Adstrum: "Thinking about the future while talking about the past." This sentiment threads through Lemuria, offering both closure and a fearless embrace of the unknown. Themes of creation and destruction intertwine, particularly on the track "Comets," which examines how endings and beginnings often mirror each other, forging new possibilities.

Musically, Lemuria is as dynamic as its themes. The album’s sonic landscape is unpredictable, moving seamlessly across styles and embracing experimentation at every turn. Tejada and Adstrum’s chemistry thrives in this fluidity, with each track offering a fresh perspective.

Beyond the music, Lemuria carries an intimate visual identity. After the tragic passing of their collaborator Simone Ling earlier in the year, Tejada and Adstrum chose to handle all the album’s design elements themselves. The result is a deeply personal project and intricately connected to the duo’s journey.

Optometry - Lemuria
Release Date 21st February 2025
Label Palette Recordings

Tracklist
1. Inside a Wire
2. Star Crossed
3. Comets
4. Fear (is the Mind Killer)
5. 99
6. Target Practice
7. Antidote
8. Bon Voyage
9. Another Shield
10. Unanswered
11. Never Coming Back