Album Review: Physics of the Impossible by Carter Fox
Album Review: Physics of the Impossible by Carter Fox
Written By: Dan Eachus
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Genre: Electronic / Synthpop / Soundtrack
Introduction
Album Review: Physics of the Impossible by Carter Fox
A Genre-Defying Cosmic Voyage
Carter Fox – Physics of the Impossible
From the mind of award-winning bassist and producer Carter Fox, Physics of the Impossible is more than just an album—it’s a genre-defying cosmic voyage. Released via Swedish label Insert Records, this 4th full-length project from Fox blends groove-driven jazz, ambient textures, hip-hop rhythms, and interstellar soul into a soundtrack tailor-made for stargazers, deep thinkers, and cosmic travelers.
Known for touring with R&B legends like Freddie Jackson and Regina Belle, and for collaborations with artists such as OddKidOut, Skrillex, Teddy Beats, Leon Huff, Pablo Batista, Ori Rose, and David Ivory, Carter Fox has long carved a unique lane in the cosmic jazz and chillhop scenes. A protégé of world-renowned bassist Gerald Veasley, Fox has built a reputation for music that feels both grounded in deep-pocket grooves and unbound by terrestrial limits.
On Physics of the Impossible, Fox channels a “Thundercat meets Brian Eno on a spaceship piloted by Sun Ra” aesthetic, layering cinematic moods, head-nodding bass lines, and cosmic textures inspired by his fascination with the stars, music, and the human experience. The album features long-time collaborator Steve Honz on piano and synths, Nick Seditious and Damn Stargazers on guitar, and Wil Schade on saxophone. Recorded and mixed across Boom Room Studio, Retro City Studio, and Fox’s home base in Philadelphia, it stands as his most ambitious project to date.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
1. Physics of the Impossible (feat. Wil Schade)
The title track opens like a gentle ascent into orbit. Schade’s saxophone and Fox’s bass create an ambient jazz drift, evoking moonlit drives and late-night contemplations. It’s not just an intro—it’s the mission statement for the journey ahead.
2. Magical Universe (with Damn Stargazers)
One of the album’s standout singles, this is pure cosmic chill. Damn Stargazers’ guitar work glistens over Fox’s tight rhythmic pocket, producing a dreamy groove that feels like floating through a nebula. The interplay between instrumentation is hypnotic yet grounded.
3. Saturn Shuffle (with Nick Seditious)
Here Fox and Seditious craft a playful space-funk shuffle. The bass walks with swagger, the guitar sparkles, and the beat swings with planetary momentum. You can almost visualize Saturn’s rings spinning in sync with the rhythm.
4. Sunny Daze (feat. Steve Honz)
This track radiates warmth—Honz’s piano melodies dance atop Fox’s deep groove, while subtle percussion adds a sunlit shimmer. It’s the perfect soundtrack for lazy afternoons and optimistic reflection.
5. Artificial Intelligence
One of the more conceptually intriguing cuts, “Artificial Intelligence” fuses human groove with machine precision. Layered bass lines pulse against programmed beats, suggesting both the harmony and tension between humanity and technology.
6. Cool Side of the Moon
Already a fan favorite before the album’s release, this piece embodies late-night cosmic jazz. Fox’s bass is front and center, weaving through hazy keys and subtle beats. It’s intimate yet vast, like looking up at the stars from a quiet rooftop.
7. BOOMIN (feat. Steve Honz)
A bold, funky head-nodder and another single highlight. This is where Fox leans into hip-hop grit, with booming low-end and sharp snare hits. Honz’s keys bring jazz fusion flair, making this a perfect meeting point between streetwise groove and cosmic class.
8. A New Hope Beyond the Horizon
This mid-album moment feels like turning a corner into optimism. Spacious arrangements and uplifting melodies inspire visions of distant futures and endless possibilities—a hopeful message wrapped in lush instrumentation.
9. CRUSH (feat. Steve Honz)
Romantic in tone, “CRUSH” slows the pace for something more introspective. Honz’s keys deliver an emotional center, while Fox’s bass provides a heartbeat that is equal parts steady and soulful.
10. Spiral Galaxy (feat. Steve Honz)
A swirling composition where repeating motifs spiral like celestial arms. The piano’s lyrical phrases orbit around Fox’s groove, and the arrangement creates the sensation of perpetual motion.
11. Intergalactic Union Meeting (feat. Steve Honz)
Playful yet sophisticated, this piece imagines a cosmic conference in sound. Layered textures and instrumental call-and-response give it a narrative feel—like overhearing an important conversation between galaxies.
12. In Awe of the Universe
A contemplative penultimate track, this is the quiet exhale before the finale. Its minimalism and spaciousness invite the listener to pause, reflect, and truly feel the wonder the album has been building toward.
13. Meteor Storm (feat. Steve Honz)
The closing track hits with kinetic energy—rapid percussion patterns, surging bass, and piano flurries that mimic meteors streaking across the sky. It’s a dynamic, cinematic conclusion that leaves the listener energized.
Final Thoughts
Physics of the Impossible succeeds in blending jazz fusion, lo-fi beats, ambient explorations, and funk grooves into a cohesive cosmic narrative. While each track stands on its own, together they form a soundtrack that feels tailor-made for night drives, deep study sessions, or meditative stargazing.
Fox’s bass work is impeccable—deep, warm, and always serving the song rather than dominating it. His collaborators elevate the project, with Steve Honz’s piano work particularly standing out across multiple tracks. The album’s variety ensures it never drifts into background music territory; instead, it rewards both passive listening and active immersion.
For fans of Thundercat, BADBADNOTGOOD, Flying Lotus, Marcus Miller, Yussef Dayes, or the Sun Ra Arkestra, Carter Fox’s Physics of the Impossible is a worthy addition to your library—a project that’s not just music, but an invitation to explore the stars.
You can listen to the entire album here on Spotify:
