Troller's Relapse debut opens with these the Texas trio droning through a thick atmosphere. The undercurrent of the beat speeds up as the song progresses into a woozy build. "Lust in Us" finds things opening up into a more traditional song structure, where her vocals have more room to breathe and the lyrics are distinguishable. They take a turn towards dark wave with the more shadow-drenched pulse of "Into Dust". You hear more of her lower range on this song. There are also more organic synth-creating layers over her. This dusk-tinged haze is not only pleasing to the ears but creates a tapestry for her to weave her voice around.
You can make out the guitar on "Out Back" which coasts along the spacious astral planes that are not far removed from the Cure or the Cocteau Twins more sonic moments. The vocals are layered to create a more angelic purpose. "Lictor" feels more like something from the early 90s 4AD catalog. It's darker than the previous song, but not as dark as "Into Dust" so only flirts with dark waves, while staying closer to the aural zip code of say Curve. Sometimes people get their panties ruffled when I am quick to draw comparisons to a band's influence, but I only call it as I hear, and in this case, it is a high compliment if I am naming some of my favorite bands. It's very familiar in some respects while they do their own thing. It also begs to be known that Adam Jones of the band SURVIVE is working the synths of this album, so these kids did not just pop out of nowhere.
The bass tone gains heft going into "Drain". It serves as the anchor while everything else floats around it. Her vocals begin to take more form midway into the song. They work of a sound more than a song here, though it could be that I am now used to their sound so waiting to hear where they take and when they drone in one direction and just build off that less surprise is held. "Rat Nest" is almost more of an interlude, until the guitars help it go somewhere. It almost floats away with itself, but as it builds gains direction. It makes sense their first gig to support this album is at a David Lynch Film Festival. Two things I want from music that are in play on the closing song is I want my dark music to be heavy, and I want my heavy music to be dark. There is a Led Zeppelin-like groove that flows around this song. The vocals are used like an instrument but see sing out from the spectral place the vocals have occupied for the bulk of the album. I will give this album a 9.5, they have a sound they are very focused on but make things interesting enough to tell a story with the mood.
