This new album of theirs doesn't exactly push things in a more extreme direction, instead focusing on melody and atmosphere. At first, this seems like an odd choice, as the album focuses almost exclusively on the death of Bolm's mother to cancer (hence, "Stage Four"). After repeated listens, though, the takeaway of the album, and the reason behind the sound shift becomes clear: this is an album about letting go, however painful it may be.
Don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of moments of raw, vintage TA sound. For example, the track "Benediction" - the verses are sung with clean vocals in Bolm's middle range, an odd choice as the song describes the lead up and days after the funeral. But as Bolm jumps into the chorus, which is a word-for-word transcription of the song sung at the funeral itself, he switches into an explosive, heart-wrenching scream. It's a beautiful moment and a really interesting juxtaposition, one of my favorites on the album.
This album is great for many reasons, but one of the best being how uncensored the entire thing feels. There are moments here where the lyrics paint Bolm as a coward, a fool who took things for granted, and he runs with these moments to make his grieving process feel universal. Take "Rapture", the last single to come out from this album. As Bolm yells, "I was comfortable", he forces the listener to examine the smaller things that hold them up in their life. In "Eight Seconds", the last lyrics of the song describe the phone call he received when he learned his mother passed: she died while he was onstage, running from responsibility. This song is followed by "Palm Dreams", which was the first single announced from the record, in what I'm assuming is a deliberate and dark choice.
Of course, the entire thing would be painfully unlistenable and disappointing if the instrumentals didn't back all of this up. And for the most part, they do. While I enjoy the more raw feeling of "Is Survived By", this album definitely has highlights. The main riff of "Rapture", for instance, is beautiful and perfectly fitting. The recurring theme on the album, heard mostly in "Skyscraper", is also pretty gorgeous. The entire thing does have a somewhat similar feel to it: tracks don't have that distinction that "Is Survived By" had, instead focusing on major-chord progressions and a more "safe" feeling.
I have to admit, though, this is a tough album. Sitting down and listening to it is fucking depressing. It explores many of the facets of losing a loved one, and exceptionally well. It's also an album worth replaying: I've heard it more than a few times since I picked it up last night and I hear new things each time. Without spoiling it, listen to the entire album: the last thirty seconds of "Skyscraper" are new, not heard on the single version, and really elevate the album into something pretty special. This is an interesting and worthwhile progression for Touché Amoré, one I think many people will respond to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxqw2k8BbMU ("Rapture")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9dVDKYsmu0 ("Displacement")
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