At 19, New York-based multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer Elliot Moss‘s debut album, Highspeeds, is a very impressive release. Recorded, produced, and mixed almost entirely by the young musician himself, the ten songs showcase impeccable attention to detail in both the songwriting and the arrangement. With a cool, dark, electronic aesthetic, the album expresses cynical and personal lyrics with a uniquely maximalist approach. But more importantly, it works.

The sound and approach is most similar to Radiohead’s In Rainbows or the more melodic side of Porcupine Tree, but it would be wrong to write this off as a mere copycat project. Moss’s modest voice and his creative approach to arrangement assure that even if the style feels familiar, it’s fresh and distinct. Synth textures subtly mix with clarinet, strings, or brass. His digitized vocal harmonies, reminiscent of Bon Iver’s “Woods,” mix with relaxed RnB grooves. And trip-hop beats are used to support catchy indie pop hooks. There’s even a soundscape interlude with a distant ragtime piano and acoustically driven ballads. But it all has a certain shared character. The clean, dry, and highly detailed production style remains consistent throughout and give Highspeeds a coherent feeling and sense of unity.

Highspeeds might not be the most original album you’ll hear this year, but that does not take away from its quality at all. If anything, Moss’s ability to produce an album of this caliber, sonically and compositionally, is impressive in its own right. The songs are strong enough to stand out from the other, lesser imitations. Elliot Moss will certainly prove to be a very interesting artist to keep and eye on as time goes on.

Highspeeds is available via Bad Future records on iTunes and you can stream the title track here on soundcloud.