The concept of 'rebirth' is something that all artists face at some point, particularly when their careers extend beyond their initial few releases. Eventually, the creative minds behind the music we cherish as fans must experiment, explore new territory, and seek reinvention.
Having dominated the heavy music scene during the 2010s, Deafheaven entered the new decade with a strong desire to take that leap. With the release of 2021’s ‘Infinite Granite’, the California band traded the aggressive black metal associated with their identity for a sound that leaned more towards shoegaze and indie rock.
This transition left audiences somewhat uncertain, prompting critics to question whether Deafheaven had lost their unique essence. Even those who embraced this new direction had to admit that this album felt notably less essential compared to their earlier work.
Fast forward four years, and a new transformation has occurred for the band. Now signed to a new label, they have produced an album that successfully weaves these experiments into a sound more distinctly their own. The result is nothing short of extraordinary.
‘Lonely People With Power’ is an immense album. A loud, maximalist, and bombastic masterpiece that showcases everything this band excels at. It features driving beats, powerful guitars, intricate effects, and vocals that leave you wondering how George Clarke still has a voice left. A multi-layered gem, this album reinstates the band as one of the finest in modern heavy music.
The opening trio of ‘Doberman’, ‘Magnolia’, and ‘The Garden Route’ demonstrates that any previous restraint has been completely cast aside. In a brilliant middle section featuring ‘Amethyst’, ‘Revelator’, and ‘Body Behaviour’, they emphasize that this album is about more than revisiting the ground that garnered them a loyal fanbase over a decade ago.
It's a more mature, elevated, and robust statement, concluding with tracks like ‘Winona’ and ‘The Marvellous Orange Tree’, which blend the more prominent shoegaze influences of ‘Infinite Granite’ with soothing and introspective melodies reminiscent of the band’s previous work on 2015’s ‘New Bermuda’.
A raucous display of all that makes Deafheaven unique, ‘Lonely People With Power’ stands proudly alongside ‘Sunbather’, ‘New Bermuda’, and ‘Ordinary Corrupt Human Love’ as evidence of the brilliance of a band quickly building an unparalleled collection of masterpieces.
9/10
Words: Michael Watkins
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