Every five years is the average release rate for this band, as this marks the fourth album of their 20-year career. Their first album, "Dead Mouth Mountain," blended early metalcore sounds with electronics, and they have been slowly evolving past the more abrasive elements of this formula. Their new album puts the band closer to what someone like HEALTH does, though less industrial in their intentions. The balance of atmospheric and edge is more enthralling here, as it is full of hooks. Where the last album stepped away from harsher vocals, they are back in the mix here, but used as more of a dynamic vocal color.
There is a more 90s alternative feel to the title track that embraces more of a grungy Smashing Pumpkins-like groove. Nick from Sumac joins them on drums as Kenny from the Armed steps in to handle bass duties. On a song like "Future Worship," these more organic instruments are not felt as strongly in the mix, as they are emulating what synths and plug-ins for a synth-wave project might do. That is, until the guitar kicks in midway through the song. "Like Fotocrom" offers a lush melodic atmosphere that drifts you out into the dusk. There is a tension that builds but never gains release. It almost feels like the intro to "Tomorrow Mirage".
At this point in the album, "Tomorrow Mirage provides the needed shift in vocal colors. The harsher vocals trade off with the sung vocals, but not in the predictable Myspace metal manner. The album's most impressive drumming flows under this to maintain the momentum. You could call the wandering exploration of sounds they embark on prog rock if you wanted. "Nothing Blooms in the Hollow" launches into an almost Dillinger Escape Plan-like chaos before finding its groove. The intricate cascading riff further solidifies their place in the sound of prog in 2026.
"Without Form" is just a synth interlude that leads into "Born Prey". where they balance the snarl of hardcore with dreaming throbbing. This spastic tantrum is slightly a regression from where the album had been leading us. "A Love So Pure" is the album's most effective balance of their screamo past with progressive present. "New Gods" closes the album with a more electronic ambiance, guiding the hypnotic pulse of what they have been doing on this album. It's the most Nine Inch Nails-leaning moment so far. This works for me. Overall I will give this album a 9.5. Sure, the parts comprising what they do are not as unique as how they are assembled. Fans for metal core than goes prog more often than not will appreciate this alongside their fan base, who are expecting change.
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