When an artist steps out from the shadow of a successful band to redefine themselves, the result can go one of two ways — an echo of past glories or a bold reimagining of identity. With Fantasy, Jasio (Jasio Kulakowski), the former guitarist and songwriter of Kobra and the Lotus, has chosen the latter path with audacious clarity. His debut solo album is an explosion of creativity that reclaims sound as a space of freedom. Blending the visceral energy of rock with the immersive pulse of electronic and cinematic production, Fantasy is the kind of album that demands full attention — not because it’s loud, but because it’s alive. Every note feels deliberate, every lyric shaped by reflection, every rhythm pulsing with purpose.
The album opens with “Fall,” a track that immediately sets the emotional and sonic tone for the record. It begins with a haunting shimmer of reverb-drenched guitar and slowly builds into a dense, rhythmic soundscape where Jasio’s voice floats between vulnerability and resolve. The lyrics wrestle with collapse and rebirth — “I fall so I can rise again” — serving as both confession and declaration. It’s the perfect introduction to Jasio’s new world: textured, introspective, and cinematic. As the song swells into a crescendo of layered synths and thunderous percussion, it becomes clear that Fantasy isn’t meant to be a passive listen. It’s an experience — a sonic voyage into the tension between self-doubt and transformation.
“Cloudline” follows, and with it comes a sense of elevation — literal and emotional. The track floats on a massive bassline and percussive drive, propelled by soaring melodic hooks that recall the expansive energy of artists like Tame Impala and Gorillaz. Yet, beneath its shimmering surface lies a deep introspection. The song feels like a meditation on clarity — the moment when chaos turns to calm and uncertainty dissolves into purpose. Jasio’s production shines here; he balances organic guitar tones with synthetic textures so seamlessly that the line between them disappears. The result is a soundscape that feels like flying through a storm, breaking through the clouds, and suddenly realising the sky has no end.
Then comes “Last One Standing,” the album’s most anthemic moment. Built around an infectious groove and a soaring chorus, it’s a song about resilience — facing down failure and fear with quiet defiance. “Even if I stand alone, I’ll still be standing strong,” Jasio sings, his voice layered in harmonies that rise like a battle cry. The song’s structure, dynamic and cinematic, evokes the dramatic flair of modern alt-rock while carrying the emotional intensity of a confessional ballad. It’s a testament to Jasio’s songwriting acumen that he can craft something so instantly accessible yet rich with emotional depth. In a world where many artists chase trends, “Last One Standing” feels timeless, grounded in the universal truth of endurance.
The centrepiece of the album, “Fantasy,” is where Jasio’s artistic vision crystallises. A lush blend of ethereal synths, pulsing rhythm, and expansive guitar layers, it feels like the heart of the record — the place where sound and emotion converge into something transcendent. Lyrically, the song explores escapism and creation, the idea of building worlds within oneself when the real one feels uninhabitable. There’s a cinematic sweep to the arrangement; it’s intimate and vast, much like the mind of the dreamer it portrays. Listening to “Fantasy” feels like stepping into a lucid dream — everything is beautiful, but nothing is quite real. The production, handled entirely by Jasio, is nothing short of masterful; every sonic detail breathes, swells, and dissolves with intent, creating an immersive listening experience that lingers long after the final note fades.
“Okay” provides a tonal shift — lighter on its feet, but equally profound. It’s an anthem for self-acceptance in an age of anxiety. The song’s groove leans toward electro-pop, yet its heart remains undeniably rock. Jasio’s vocals carry a raw honesty here, as if he’s speaking directly to the listener: “I don’t need to be perfect to be okay.” It’s a refreshing vulnerability, the kind that strips away pretension and reveals something deeply human. What makes “Okay” so effective is its simplicity; beneath its catchy hook lies a message of quiet resilience, the understanding that healing doesn’t always look heroic — sometimes it’s just choosing to breathe and move forward.
On “Dear Future Me,” Jasio shifts gears again, delivering what might be the album’s emotional core. It’s a letter to one’s older, wiser self — reflective, tender, and deeply moving. Acoustic guitars and atmospheric pads frame Jasio’s voice in an intimate, almost cinematic way. The track is both nostalgic and hopeful, addressing themes of growth, forgiveness, and the cyclical nature of time. It’s one of those rare songs that feels like it’s speaking directly to you, urging you to keep going, to trust that the pain of today will become the wisdom of tomorrow. In many ways, “Dear Future Me” encapsulates the emotional arc of Fantasy: the fall, the flight, the fight, and finally, the peace that follows.
The album closes with “Fall (Unplugged),” a stripped-down reimagining of the opener that brings the journey full circle. Gone are the layers of production and the electronic pulse — what remains is Jasio’s voice, a guitar, and an honesty that hits harder than any wall of sound. The unplugged version recontextualises “Fall” as a song about acceptance. It’s a quiet finale, one that leaves space for reflection, and in that silence, you can almost hear the heartbeat of the album itself: steady, human, unafraid.
What makes Fantasy remarkable is the authenticity that underpins it all. Jasio isn’t chasing a sound, but creating one that mirrors his own evolution. Every track feels like a page torn from a journal, reimagined through the lens of a producer unbound by labels or limits. The record stands as proof that true artistry thrives in risk — that vulnerability and experimentation can coexist beautifully. With Fantasy, Jasio redefines what modern alternative music can be. It’s a brave, immersive, and emotionally resonant debut that marks the arrival of an artist fully in command of his vision — and unafraid to dream beyond the edge of the real.
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