Just over two years on from delivering their debut album, ‘Past Lives’, L.S. Dunes have reemerged with a sophomore record that builds on its predecessor. As well-documented, the personnel behind this so-called “supergroup” come from “scene” royalty; My Chemical Romance, Circa Survive, Thursday, and Coheed & Cambria. While their 2022 debut carried itself with the stench of being a side project, it’s clear L.S. Dunes is here to stay.
On the surface, ‘Violet’ is the sound of a band which has organically grown and is now comfortable playing with each other. This results in a tonally assured collection of songs, unshackled from whatever hefty expectations they had previously.
Through an expansive pallet, songs such as ‘Like Magick’ (with its stirring guitar solo) and ‘Holograms’ are spacious yet are far jarring. The post-hardcore grit remains intact. On ‘Fatal Deluxe’, Anthony Green’s melodies swirl around Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) and Travis Stever’s (Coheed & Cambria) sturdy guitars. All the while bassist Tim Payne and drummer Tucker Rule (both Thursday) accompany them with a colourful rhythm section. Later on, ‘You Deserve To Be Haunted’ is ignited by riveting fret-play, Green’s distinct high-pitched screams, and low-end percussion. Whereas, the title track weaves itself between harsh catharist as Green sings of regret and pure optimism and forgiveness; “You’re gonna get what you deserve, You are the only star”.
‘Machines’ sees them faintly touch upon early-2000s New York with a pulsating, fuzzy, indie rock tone. Much like ‘Violet’ as a whole, L.S. Dunes never sound like imitators of anyone or anything else. Sure there are the fingerprints of the bands the personnel are known for.
Late highlights ‘Paper Tigers’ and ‘Things I Thought Would Last Forever’ emphasise ‘Violet‘s cohesiveness. The first is a stirring hard rock ballad with Tucker Rule’s textured drums, Green’s floating chorus, and riveting guitars. The latter subtly implores with a cinematic soundscape, allowing Iero and Stever’s guitars to succulently intertwine. Meanwhile, their rhymic bandmates (Payne and Rule) provide a grounded heftiness. The album’s overarching message of love and kindness is driven home on the anthemic ‘Forgiveness’. Its luscious melody resonates with optimism as Green sings “we’ll keep pushing on and on until the memory is dead”.
Along with producer Will Yip, L.S. Dunes has created a strong follow-up. ‘Violet’ expands on their foundations, allowing them to confidently explore sonically. However, it remains cohesive, giving its members confidence to establish L.S. Dunes as merely an off-shoot from their “day jobs”. In short, ‘Violet’ gives L.S. Dunes a firm foundation to build on.
‘Violet’ by L.S. Dunes is released on January 31st, 2025 on Fantasy Records.
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