E*vax (aka Evan Mast) is more interested in creating accessible pop melodies than in crafting hard-edged dance music or impressing listeners with highly complex beat structures. So while Parking Lot Music isn’t devoid of interesting rhythmic ideas, its primary function is to foster his synthesizer-based melodies. Mast’s usual approach is to build and layer simple melodic lines while manipulating beats based on sounds he found in his house or neighborhood. The resulting music seems warm and organic (as opposed to cold, mechanical, and/or arid) and provides a relatively mellow listening experience without either jumping out at the listener or fading completely into the background. It seems better suited for the living room than a parking lot, but it would probably be enjoyable in both settings. – Todd Kristel