After a month of reviewing death metal albums, I needed something to give my ears a rest and with gears, which this album did beautifully. The duo's sound has been further tweaked. While they still straddle the balance of capturing a sound vs writing songs, they are using the refinement of sound to further their songwriting. The vocals feel more in line with who they are. They crooned without emulating say Depeche Mode, whose earlier work still stands as their biggest influence. It can perhaps still be felt heavily on the song "This Conversation" with the synths that bounce around the lo-fi 80s drum programming. Much like Depeche Mode from that era, this is upbeat new wave pop with a hint of shadow to it.
"Fortia" which is one of the album's three instrumental tracks, just feels more like an interlude, even with the samples helping to form a little more of a narrative. The title track that follows this is a ballad that recalls the era of the 80s they trying to recapture. But much like that decade, the vocals did not rely on studio trickery so you had to actually be able to sing., The vocals are less indifferent than the previous release and empowered by a great deal more feeling. "Out of Season' however get a little upbeat for me mood-wise. I do not think the hooks have been leveled up enough to justify this.
That is not to say they do not try harder on "Never Ever" to accomplish this. They even bring in a saxophone. I have just heard too many bands like Black Queen and the Midnight trying to do similar. "Hyena" is another interlude that floats on synths without going anywhere. "Last Repose" leans into the slick synth-pop that is adulting here, before letting the album end with a more atmospheric outro. I will give this album a 9, I think this is a logical progression in the right direction for this project, perhaps not the most original album, but one that is well done for what they are doing.
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