If you’re a fan of post-rock, then you will be aware of the cult-like status We Lost The Sea‘s 2015 album, ‘Departure Songs’ has. Hearlded as a modern classic, it captured everything great about the genre; cinematic storytelling that allowed listeners to be enveloped by its emotion without a single word being sung. While the Aussie outfit will be marking ‘Departure Songs’ 10th anniversary at ArcTanGent next month, they’re also looking forward. ‘A Single Flower’ is the band’s first full-length since 2019’s ‘Triumph & Disaster’. Although it has been quite some time since the sextet delivered new music, it’s certainly be worth the wait.
With track titles such as ‘A Dance with Death,’ ‘Everything Here Is Black and Blinding,’ and ‘The Gloaming,’ ‘A Single Flower’ suggests We Lost The Sea are heading into bleak territory. However, they once again show a proven ability to balance the darkness with the light, constantly constructing compelling numbers. At an hour and 11 minutes, ‘A Single Flower’ requires patience, yet when it delivers its stunning.
Take ‘A Dance with Death’ for example. With its chugging, intense bass intro, shimmering guitars, and towering chord progression, it builds a mental image of growing panic. As sharp distortion guitars briefly piece through, we’re left with a dystopian aftermath of baron guitars. Its finale builds to a superb, majestic crescendo that sees We Lost The Sea truly flourish. Meanwhile, ‘Everything Here is Black and Blinding’ billows with trepidation, utilising a polyrhythmic guitar to create an uneasy atmosphere. While its pulsating bass drum merely adds to the emotional intensity that WLTS pull off so well (and so often).
Much like many superb bands in this genre, ‘Bloom (Murmurations at First Light)’ and ‘If They Had Hearts’ exemplify WLTS‘s ability to tonally ebb and flow with poise. As the former’s title suggests, there are signs of hope in ‘A Single Flower’s narrative. As atmospheric guitars drift along, it’s met by a wall of noise. However, it’s never done with the sheer purpose of “being a post-rock band.” Everything emotional and musical high and low is done with intention and precision. The closing half of the album especially amplifies this fact.
First, ”The Gloaming’ arrives, with sweeping strings and heart-wrenching piano keys. It’s simple and raw, providing the perfect prelude to ‘A Single Flower’s conclusion. With a run time of 27 minutes, ‘Blood Will Have Blood’ is a bold yet utterly magnificent way to round off a masterful record. It encapsulates the craftsmanship of We Lost The Sea into an epic odyssey, delicately pacing itself with conviction, as it gently draws you into a world of highs and lows. Its rich pensiveness gives way to riveting guitars and galloping drums. As that fades away, you’re laid into a world of hypnotic, spacious guitars before military drums arrive in the distance. The slow build and eventual payoff is post-rock perfection. The implementation is staggering, making its lengthy runtime seem minute.
In conclusion, We Lost The Sea continue to show why they are one of the best bands in the post-rock genre. While they’re not the first name that comes to mind, they continue to build a catalogue of music that will eventually put them on par with recognised genre leaders. ‘A Single Flower’ is a layered and emotional journey that is considerably at the same standard as ‘Departure Songs’. Whether or not it’ll have the same legacy remains to be seen. However, in the meantime, go and get lost in the bleak and beautiful world of ‘A Single Flower’.
‘A Single Flower’ by We Lost The Sea is out now on Dunk.
Find We Lost The Sea on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Website
