Not sure how this slipped under my radar, as it's Laura from Kylesa making a post-punk album. It is very moody with a hazy atmosphere over the tense bass lines that prowl the shadowy landscapes she has created here. There is a 1950s pop feel to how these songs move at times, but this is also set against electronic noise on " Fade Away". Then, to further push the bounds of dynamics, she goes off into a dancey song that would not be out of place if a DJ were spinning it at a goth night.
"In the Mirror " has more of a new-wave thump to the bass, and Pleasants' vocals have a more Debbie Harry feel to them. "Without You" is more reflective; there is an 80s dream pop touch to it, though this is colored by a deep sense of loss, as the guitars convey this lurking gloom. At some point in this album, I suspected there was a drum machine being used, but on "In Death and Life," there is no mistaking the pound of a real kit, giving the song more of a heavier rock drive. This also makes it one of the album's best songs so far.
The brisk tempo of " Over the Edge' keeps things moving in a manner that hooks you into the momentum this album establishes. While her voice sits back in the mix, the lyrics that do cut through seem to deal with the mental health aspects of losing someone you care about and the pondering of mortality. "Desire' finds an interesting collision of sound in motion, all of them connected to the 80s. I think we are back to using a drum machine here, but it gets the job done. "She Said" has a very slinky goth bass line that coasts over the beat. The dynamic shift for the chorus gives it some punch and is a cool touch. There are great guitar tones on this album, and some very nuanced playing closes out the album on "Let it Go". It also features some of her best singing on this album as she continues to find her voice away from Kylesa. I will give this album a 10; it's great songwriting and covers a wide breadth of the shadows.
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