Kaktus Einarsson’s “Lobster Coda” Album Download ZIP & MP3 Free Files
Kaktus Einarsson‘s second album, “Lobster Coda,” featuring collaborations with School of X, Nanna, and Damon Albarn, will be released by One Little Independent Records on October 25th. This album blends dreamy, glistening synth-pop with a melancholic ambiance, achieved through layers of atmospheric keys, percussion, and groovy funk bass.
Kaktus recounts his journey following a stress-induced nonepileptic seizure, also known as a functional neurological disorder (FND), which disrupted the communication between his brain and body. This resulted in losing control of his legs and arms, along with experiencing involuntary facial tics. He spent months in physical therapy, relearning how to use his motor functions while also caring for his children and partner, with whom he needed to reconnect.
He explains, “We had bought a new house, and I was renovating it. I had become a father of two with the birth of my young son, and I was stepping into a new phase of adulthood, both financially—managing a mortgage—and emotionally. The pressure was high. I realize now that during this time, I wasn’t doing any work on myself.” He recalls, “It struck while I was at my dad’s exhibition; my eyes felt strange, my vision blurred, and I essentially had a panic attack. I lost all power while my father held me. It was very painful; I had no control. In the ER, I learned it was FND—a glitch between the brain and the nervous system. The nervous system learns a behavior that it repeats in a pattern, even though the brain knows it’s wrong. Then the body freezes, and I couldn’t walk.”
Kaktus adds, “Recovery is ongoing, to be honest. But I think this experience serves as a mirror reflecting the stress and pressures of everyday life. This kind of high-intensity pressure is not normal. I learned that recovery isn’t linear; there are good days and bad days, along with occasional setbacks. Despite this, I feel relieved knowing there was nothing wrong with my spine, and I didn’t have multiple sclerosis or any chronic conditions. I was fortunate—I received a warning card. I remind myself of that, and every day is good.”
Overall, “Lobster Coda” is about connection: connecting with yourself, communicating between body and mind, recognizing your limits, and overcoming adversity. It also emphasizes connection to others, nurturing relationships, and finding balance, all while remembering to care for yourself. The new single “Be This Way” merges the darker post-punk vibes of his previous band, Fufanu, with glacial pop, featuring additional vocals from Nanna of the Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men.
Kaktus Einarsson has had an impressive musical journey. Born and raised in Reykjavík, he began performing as part of the experimental electronic act Ghostigital at just 10 years old. In his post-punk band Fufanu, he opened for Radiohead and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in his hometown. The band also supported Blur in Hyde Park and made a mark on the festival circuit, performing at events like Primavera Sound, Rock Werchter, Musilac, and Down The Rabbit Hole. His debut solo album, *Kick The Ladder*, was released in 2021 and later remixed by artists such as JFDR, Modular Project, and Brandt Brauer Frick. With an often brutal candor, Kaktus’s new album encourages taking time for reflection, recognizing necessary changes, listening to your body, and trusting the process, no matter how long it may take.
Tracklist:
- Lobster Coda
- Daze Gold ft. School of X
- Be This Way ft. Nanna
- Saka
- Heart Spell
- Koddi
- White Burn
- Gumbri ft. Damon Albarn