CIRCA 99 - LOST IN SPACE

​CIRCA 99

LOST IN SPACE
self-released; 2026

​​By Dino DiMuro​

I've been exploring the creative use of "beats" in my music, which refers to both drum tracks and the circular melodies upon which songs are built. Thus, I've started to appreciate creatively designed arrangements in electro pop, and the debut album LOST IN SPACE by CIRCA 99 is a masterclass in this type of music!

CIRCA 99 is the project name for Jake Hankins of New Jersey, and his goal is to "blur electronic music, alternative pop and psychedelia, moving between dance music and introspection." Not surprisingly, Hankins personally creates and records every note himself, along with mixing and mastering. Hankins' influences span "Tame Impala's layered psychedelia, the groove-driven energy of Daft Punk and Justice, Nile Rodgers' rhythmic guitar work and Brian Eno's textural experimentation." Conceptual themes include uncertainty, relationships, personal growth and cyclical patterns.

Hankins says the recording process was unconventional: "Writing, production and mixing were deeply intertwined, with songs constantly reshaped through layering, resampling and sound design, allowing each track to develop its own unique identity." The intent was for listeners to approach the collection as a complete work. Let's do it!

The first thing I noticed is that Hankins creates many titles that evoke other things: we have "Lost In Space" (TV show), "Breathless" and "Eyes Wide Shut" (movies), "No Time" (Monkees) and our first track, "SATELLITES IN LOVE," which is close to a Lou Reed title. It fades in on a space funk wave, with classic electro-pop-style vocals (compressed and slightly phased). Hankins' voice is melodic and approachable, but the backings really pop with a constant level of subtle invention.

"HINDSIGHT" is flagged as one of the standout songs and is described as "capturing the album's dynamic range, balancing synth-heavy pop foundations with reflective, emotionally resonant storytelling." This sounds like a Hit to me, and the backings are less busy but have a deeper impact (especially the church-organ-from-space sound). Cool funky bass track too! "BREATHLESS" increases the strutting-bass component combined with cascading waterfalls of dream-poppy harmony vocals.

It would be interesting to know if the next track was actually inspired by the movie, but "EYES WIDE SHUT" does have an icy Kubrickian vibe behind a dramatic vocal tweaked with tiny bits of pitch correction (or else it's just perfect!). "FALL INTO ME" evokes a futuristic cocktail bar, the kind that's all glass and white walls with the darkness of space visible outside. "ENERGY" has one of those really interesting beats I was referring to, almost industrial with drums that sound metallic. The term "Wall of Sound" would also qualify here, with a nonstop flow of spacey pads and beeps.

"NO TIME" is a faster track, especially compared to the others, and seems to embody impatience even within its banks of keys; if it had guitars, it would be disco rock! "GOOD NIGHT" concludes the set with sincere, even intimate vocals as the sweeping banks of synths tuck you in for a well-deserved rest. The patterns have a real '80s flavor and tonality, which always works for me.

​So, the standout elements here are Hankins' vocals and the creativity of his backing tracks. Am I missing anything? Check it out!

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