Album Review: The Lightbox

The Lightbox is the debut album from Transcender Nova, the electronic and ambient project of Matthew P. Schöbs, who some listeners may already recognise through his work with The Flaming Bridges. Based in Oamaru, Schöbs uses this project to explore a wide range of electronic sounds, building a collection of mostly instrumental tracks that move between moods and ideas rather than sitting firmly in one style.

At different moments across the album, there are hints of electronic music from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, occasionally drifting into a euphoric house-style energy. But The Lightbox never feels tied to one particular sound. Instead, the album shifts naturally between chilled-out textures, groove-based electronic tracks and more experimental moments.

The opening track, Pulse Light, begins with a simple repeating synth idea that slowly builds before the beat finally arrives. From there, the track keeps expanding, layering sounds and allowing the music to grow at its own pace. Vocals appear here and at different points across the album, but they are used more as a texture within the music rather than as traditional singing. It creates a feeling of space where ideas can develop without being rushed.

Pre-Show changes the mood again. The track feels almost like the build-up before a concert begins, with echoing effects and unusual percussion sounds giving it a distinctive character. It sits in a more relaxed space compared to the opener, and together the two tracks offer a good sense of the different directions the album moves in.

Friday (2026 Mix) brings to mind the sample-driven style of artists like Moby, with small musical fragments helping to push the track forward. Despite the title suggesting something darker, the piece unfolds in a much more subtle way, revealing its ideas gradually the longer you sit with it.

Elsewhere, Cat Head leans toward dub-influenced sounds, using horn samples and a laid-back groove that will feel familiar to fans of roots and reggae-influenced music from Aotearoa. Impossible Dream continues in a similar direction but adds a sharper electronic edge, opening with a short sound bite before settling into a steady beat that carries the track forward. At moments it hints at the more experimental electronic world explored by artists such as Aphex Twin.

Several of the longer pieces on the album allow the music to stretch out a little further. The Longing and Outside both create spacious listening experiences where the sounds slowly unfold. The Longing in particular has a reflective quality, with gentle string-like sounds sitting over soft piano lines. At times it brings to mind the ambient work of Brian Eno, while also touching on the atmospheric textures explored by Radiohead in their later material.

On Blip, featuring Greg Smith, Schöbs builds the track around a spoken recording reflecting on time and how people use it. The result feels thoughtful and slightly introspective, showing that the project is often just as interested in ideas and atmosphere as it is in rhythm.

Arrival continues that feeling, creating a soundscape that almost feels space-like in its atmosphere. It reinforces the sense that much of the album is designed to paint images as much as it is to deliver traditional songs.

As a full listen, The Lightbox works well either as an album to sit down with properly or simply to have playing in the background while working, walking or driving. There is enough detail there for careful listening, but the music is also comfortable just existing as a wider atmosphere.

The album closes by returning to The Longing, this time featuring Cam Sheppard. His spoken reflection on how sport can help keep people on the right path adds a final thoughtful moment, bringing the album to a calm and reflective close.

Overall, The Lightbox is an interesting and varied debut. Through the Transcender Nova project, Matthew P. Schöbs shows a clear curiosity for exploring sound and mood, creating an electronic record that rewards patience and repeat listens. It is a thoughtful piece of work and one that reveals more the longer you spend with it.