Rome : "Hegemonikon-A Journey to the End of Light" "

The first song is not the type of neo-folk you expect from this project as it is an atmospheric affair weighed heavily by synths, The vocals being buried under said synths. The strum of guitar remerges to a more familiar sound for the second song. The production on this album is less organic than previous ones. There is a more upbeat almost pop feel to the song writing rather than the more Death in June like musings of their earlier work. "Icarus Rex" is back to the vocal narrative sitting atop the pulse of a synth on "Icarus Rex". Synths are still prominent against the strum of guitar that joins the lighter mood of the still brooding "Surely Ash", His voice drops into a lower Nick Cave like place.  A very 80s sounding synth bounces along the chorus. 

"Walking the Atlal" starts off sounding as if it will float along a more folk centric arpeggiation. It drones on as he narrates things with a less focused lyrical direction than what propelled the melodies of the previous song. This new wave twist to the song writing works out well on "Hearts Mend" which is one of the albums strongest songs there is a more western flavored longing to it. His croon has a Chris Isaak like strength to the timbre of baritone invoked here. "Solar Caeser" follows a similar path, though is more of indie track if Death in June collaborated with the Postal Service. I am fine with these changes as just acoustic guitars all the time can be very limiting to work with. 

"Stone Grace" is spoken word over an ambient back drop and feels more like an interlude than a song to me. "New Flags" feels more like a New Model Army song. It ambles more like modern indie rock as the beat feel more electronic based It is one of those songs that needs to grow on me, I approve of this direction though I also like disco Kiss and Vegas Elvis, odd stylistic changes are my kink. I will give this album a 9, in terms of where it falls in regard to the songs writing. Not his best album, but better than what most can achieve.