With a name like The Twilight Sad and an upcoming album called Nobody Wants To Be Here and Nobody Wants To Leave, it’s hard not to picture a group of melancholy musicians making depressing music. Fortunately for us however, this is not the case. In fact, though very much sticking to a theme of dejected moods and disheartened lyrics, the album is surprisingly uplifting and exhilarating with a variety of high and low tones to keep the album fruitfully alive.
A mysterious tone backs dark vocals at times hold a certain Morrissey aesthetic that are later somewhat blended into the music, contributing to an enigmatic sound of synths and solemn melody. The production on this album results in a selection of songs begging to burst the speakers with The Twilight Sad’s combination of deep vocals and dreamy symphonies that bring a little bit of light to the otherwise gloomy tracks. A little bit of reverb never hurt anybody but even without this the band deliver a coherent collection of sounds, each one of them popping to surface at some point in the album.
‘I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want’ contains a sharp piece of guitar work that creates a spectacular atmosphere of light and cheerful music fronted by endearingly vocals coated in a Scottish charm. Later on in the album is ‘In Nowheres’, striking in with a rich and gnarly bass line to dominate the track. Fluctuating vocals sit lightly atop this before eventually taking over alongside a consistent cymbal tapping that rings through your ears in a hypnotic manner, keeping your brain focused on the music.
Nobody Wants To Be Here and Nobody Wants To Leave continues charged with emotion echoing throughout the loud dynamic of the band’s work. Spirits seem to lift towards the end with both a manner of energy and strength, be that musically or the album’s overall character itself. Final track ‘Sometimes I Wished I Could Fall Asleep’ although following a delicate tone is strong in vocals that throughout the album have proved to adapt to different variations while still maintaining a recognisable sound.
SAMANTHA MAE 