Thrice: Horizons/East
California’s Thrice drop their 11th studio album September 17th, via Epitaph Records. Brining the same energy and edge of prior albums the band takes a step towards creating an album that pushes the envelop and encourages listeners to pay more attention in our everyday lives.
This resulted in Horizons/East, a transparent view of frontman, Dustin Kensrue’s, internal thoughts. Intentional, introspective, and wholly authentic, the album presses into what it' means to be self aware. Instrumentally the album is just as thoughtful but with soundscapes that will take the listener through a journey of emotion.
The opening track The Color Of The Sky is a melodic entrance into the soundscape of the album. Providing listeners with synths and drums that won’t overpower them, but allow them to let go and get lost in the vocals of Kensrue.
Next we have Scavengers. “Overhead, are those angels or vultures” is the prolific opening lyric. The lyrical depth doesn’t stop there, nor does the melodic, trance like guitars as they pull the listener into the depths of their mind, left to wonder “Are you ready to come back home”.
Buried In The Sun comes in next, a bit of a social commentary on the state of the world today, but specifically the what that media is manipulated to create fear and and psychological struggle. Through the song listeners are reminded to take a moment to really evaluate what they take in and consider the sources. Kensure has said “It amplifies things. It can exacerbate things. But it isn’t creating anything on its own” when talking about Twitter and social media.
Following that you have Northern Lights which is going to give listeners a feeling of reflection and acknowledgement of new beginnings.
Summer Set Fire to the Rain is a reminder that there is beauty all around us, even when the rain is coming down the sun can light them up and its all about how you interpret the occurrence. You can choose to only see the downside of getting wet because of the rain, or you can look at the beauty of everything that intertwines. Speaking of intertwining, the vocals, bass lines, guitars and drums begin to twist their melodies as the final chorus takes root.
Still Life brings the album its longest track, filled with big open cymbal crashes and a cinematic vibe. The track lends itself to the listener’s ears releasing a feeling of adventure as the lyrics guide you through a variety of descriptive storytelling lines.
“Speak your truth, spit your doubt” The Dreamer proclaims. The second verse is such an incredible metaphor;
There was a voice in the night
But the words were lost
And then found
In the pouring rain
So listen to the call when it comes
Or else you won’t know what it means
One more day, one more hour
To learn your name (and forget)
Who couldn’t use the reminder that sometimes we won’t understand why certain things happen, or what our calling is, until the rain comes, and after the rain things become more clear.
Robot Soft Exorcism picks a groovy drumline and odd timing that draws listeners in to what could be the biggest vibe and cultural commentary track of the year. With this track the lyrics give listeners the ability to close their eyes and visualize an incredible scene of a robot causing destruction all around and a lone person calling out to stop meeting the unforeseen with violence or conflict.
And closing out the album is Dandelion Wine and Unitive/East. These tracks take a much more mellow, stripped approach. They wrap the album very well as up to this point in the album you’ve been lead on a trance like journey through your own mind, being asked metaphorical questions, prolific thoughts evoked, and visions of destruction and rebirth. With these tracks you are finally allowed to “wake” back into your normal life and routine but hopefully with a new perspective.
Horizons/East Tracklisting:
The Color Of The Sky
Scavengers
Buried In The Sun
Northern Lights
Summer Set Fire To The Rain
Still Life
The Dreamer
Robot Soft Exorcism
Dandelion Wine
Unitive/East
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