Donny McCaslin Lullaby For The Lost
Donny McCaslin's Lullaby For The Lost arrives as a galvanizing statement, where art rock urgency and indie sensibility meet jazz-rooted daring. Across the record the Bowie influence functions as catalyst rather than mimic, propelling McCaslin into jagged, cinematic territory while Tim Lefebvre's production keeps the arrangements taut and viscerally alive.
Critics point to a clear critical consensus: the album earned a 90/100 consensus score from one professional review, which praises standout tracks like “Wasteland” and the title piece “Lullaby For The Lost” as the record's strongest moments. Reviewers consistently note the fusion of electronica and avant-funk with sophisticated production values, and call out the way songs such as “Stately”, “Blond Crush” and “Celestial” broaden the album's palette without sacrificing focus. The best songs on Lullaby For The Lost emerge from that balance of grit and sweep.
While impressions are largely positive, the narrative emphasizes nuance: McCaslin embraces art-rock textures and a Bowie-esque theatricality that may feel more adventurous than conventional jazz fans expect. That adventurousness is precisely what makes the collection worth listening to, placing Lullaby For The Lost as a distinctive, critically praised entry in McCaslin's catalog and a must-hear for listeners drawn to boundary-pushing crossovers.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Wasteland
1 mention
"David Bowie 's Blackstar , released in 2016 just two days before his death, changed the direction of saxophonist Donny McCaslin's music"— AllMusic
Lullaby For The Lost
1 mention
"On Lullaby for the Lost, McCaslin's band easily reflect the Bowie influence, but their evolved sound in 2025 is on another level"— AllMusic
Stately
1 mention
"Each record was darker than the last"— AllMusic
David Bowie 's Blackstar , released in 2016 just two days before his death, changed the direction of saxophonist Donny McCaslin's music
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Wasteland
Solace
Stately
Blond Crush
Celestial
Tokyo Game Show
Lullaby For The Lost
KID
Mercy
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 1 critic who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Donny McCaslin sounds galvanized on Lullaby For The Lost, a record where the Bowie shadow becomes a spur rather than a shackle. The best tracks - notably “Wasteland” and “Lullaby For The Lost” - push McCaslin into jagged, art-rock territory, balancing avant-funk grit with cinematic sweep. Producer Tim Lefebvre's touch helps those songs feel both meticulously arranged and viscerally alive. If you search for the best songs on Lullaby For The Lost, listen for the album's fusion of electronica and art rock that makes those tracks stand out.
Key Points
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The title track and opener are best because they crystallize McCaslin's art-rock and avant-funk fusion with cinematic production.
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The album's core strength is its sophisticated, Bowie-influenced reinvention that blends electronica, art rock, and avant-funk.