First Impressions
So, we've done subtle and complex with Pitfalls. We've done emotional and grand with Aphelion. What's left for the sound Leprous has constructed in this latest era?
I'm not sure why, but my expectations were a little low for this album. Maybe it's because statistically the latest release from bands that have been active for a long time is not very good, at least the bands I've listened to and loved.
Well, even if unjustified, that skepticism was completely blown away pretty much on the very first listen from this album. This... might be my favorite release from their modern output? I'm not sure.
This feels both like a perfectly natural evolution of their disney-prog sound, while having some extremely fresh sounds. The first, and the best thing, is that this album is MUCH heavier and direct than the previous two. I've yet to really dive into their old sound, but from what people say, this is them going a little back to those early heavy years. And my goodness it's amazing.
The obvious song to point out for this is Like A Sunken Ship. But honestly, Atonement, Faceless, Silently Walking Alone, these ALL have really heavy and impactful elements that the other albums just didn't really delve into-
But here's the thing, it also doesn't feel regressive with it's heaviness. They're still basically just making extremely complicated art-pop songs. But my goodness it feels like they've reached the most refined and polished version of it in this album.
Now, there are some downsides to this. Mainly... some of that polish can go overboard in some of these songs. I can confidently say this album was the first to have songs I didn't really like. Particularly My Specter and I Hear The Sirens. This was the first time I thought to myself Einar's incredibly high falsetto was a little much. And the way they're written feels quite repetitive, which makes them feel much longer than they actually are. They're a blemish on an otherwise great record if you ask me.
All right, so with that out of the way. Let me proceed to completely praise this album because oh my goodness, aside from those two songs, this thing is packed with everything I've loved about Leprous.
Silently Walking Alone is an incredibly intense and heavy way to start the album. The constant low wobbling of the electronic bass is so cool, it feels like the march of an entire army. Then the chorus just hits so damn hard, it's so heavy and slow in the best of ways. Then by the second verse, when all the rhythms start getting displaced, they're just showing off. It's honestly one of the best written songs of the album.
Atonement is the certified banger of the album. The hit. And honestly it's probably my favorite of these types of songs they've done. The ones with a very simple structure and catchy choruses. The power of the song is ALL in that beat drop with the guitar lick. It's so contagious, so simultaneously groovy and heavy. Honestly it almost feels like an EDM song, I mean this is in the best of ways.
Like A Sunken Ship is just all over the place in the best of ways. It's catchy, the "lalala" melodies are honestly so cheesy but they're the perfect amount of cheesy. It feels very spooky in a playful manner. And then of course, it all builds up to that scream. My goodness, Einar can sound like an absolute monster. And then the super high note at the end is just the cherry on top. This feels like the song they pulled out all the tricks for and it works so well.
My favorite song of the album though, is Faceless. My god, this is an amazing song. First off, you already won me when you start your song with an upright bass. The whole start of the song is the most beautiful and ethereal piece of the entire album. But then after the first chorus, you here these super heavy guitars that are completely buried in the mix.
This, combined with the super heavy snare sound, had me on the edge of my seat for when the drop was going to happen. And when it happens, it's the absolute heaviest, the absolute greatest. That, mixed with the melodies Einar does on top of it, is my favorite part of the entire album.
Then we end with a full choir chant of the chorus. The first time I listened to this song, I did think it went on for a little too long. The whole "Never go alone never go alone" repeating just over and over can seem like a little much. But honestly I've grown to love it so much. The add more and more layers to it the more it goes on. And honestly the "Can I be unforgiven?" Chants are so epic, it makes this entire section if you ask me.
Lastly, you know Leprous always ends their albums with a great streak of songs.
Self-Satisfied Lullaby is the Distant Bells of this album. Where the song is so quiet and so subtle for a great portion of it, but when it hits it just hits so well. There are so many swells of small and strange arrangements in the quiet sections.
By the time the drums really kick in, it feels perfect. Like all the tension is released. Like you've been floating in space all this time, and are now finally coming back down. And don't even get me started with the ending guitar melody. Once again, really reminds me of The Pinneaple Thief in how they will wait for the very end of songs to give you some of the best solos ever.
And then, to end with its grandest and most tragic point, we have Unfree My Soul. This song took me a while to really get into, I will admit. But now... damn. It's a perfect way to end the album. The chorus is everything in this song. It feels so tragic, perfectly written for the lyrics, speaking of what seems like sacrifice or giving into darkness. It just makes you want to scream it at the top of your lungs. And the melodies match the grand tragedy of it all. It's perfect.
I said earlier this could be my favorite of their modern albums. I am still unsure whether I prefer this to Aphelion, but it's undoubtedly close. I do think it feels a little less ambitious than the previous two albums, but it's still got so many incredible high points. That, combined with more teeth and aggression, just made for such a good experience.
Ranking
Faceless
Atonement
Like A Sunken Ship
Unfree My Soul
Silently Walking Alone
Self-Satisfied Lullaby
Limbo
Starlight
I Hear The Sirens
My Specter
Rating
8.5/10
Leprous listening order