Review Summary: Invade & Disco proves We Are Castor can achieve what was missing from their debut with a more instrumental-driven album, but it doesn't hold as much chemistry as Bon Voyage.
Invade & Disco is the 2nd album by We Are Castor released less than 6 months later of its predecessor; Bon Voyage. Bon Voyage brought We Are Castor into the electronic-music world with their unique genre-blending ability and array of instrumentation not commonly used in electronic music. While Bon Voyage was not very focussed in terms of concept, the band allowed a better context into Invade & Disco. Invade & Disco is designed as “a progressive journey of genre bent madness” and “a guided tour through a fresh and modernized timeless disco adventure”. While the album may act as a tour through disco with pop influences, it also sheds further light onto the actual electronic instrumental aspect of We Are Castor.
It’s safe to say Invade & Disco involves a lot more tracks devoted to lone electronic instrumentals than the previous album. This may sound like a negative, but it actually finishes as a benefit. Bon Voyage first showed us how well they can pull off songs with vocal presence, now they are focusing on musicality. Also, as instrumentals actually have a theme unlike Bon Voyage, this allows songs to have a more elaborate and ‘eventful’ structure to emulate the “disco adventure”. But, even though more is happening in the album musically, it leaves out room for major chemistry between the band members to occur as often as the debut album.
As this is an album based around disco, you can expect the use of samples, synths and electronic percussion to be quite high. Electric guitar’s use has also been slightly amped up since Bon Voyage; adding texture to the sound. You can wait on the strings and vocals to appear, but prepare for only a small number of moments where they are prominent. Even though the vocals’ appearance has decreased, there are featuring vocalists in the more hip-hop influenced songs (Drums and Projects). In regards to the debut, the more folk-suited instruments’ (mandolin, harmonica and flutes) appearances are diminished, but when used, they are often made very prominent. Additionally, the use of brass and horns has become a recurring feature in Invade & Disco’s instrumentation, further differentiating it from Bon Voyage. However, when you compare the change of sound and instrument layout to the disco theme; it actually acts as a benefit as it fits much better with the concept We Are Castor is trying to achieve.
As Invade & Disco is much more instrumental-driven, the small structural issues are almost completely erased and no longer a problem from Bon Voyage. While the debut had a habit of using a slightly linear structure, songs in this album follow movements. Bon Voyage had a lot of variation on a singular melody, but it rarely completely changed or progressed. With the use of movements, there is very little repetition present in the album and there is a constant change in dominant melodies within songs. There is a downside to this factor, unfortunately. As the main melody is being changed constantly between instruments, it is difficult to find points where a mass majority of the band members are working well with each other. The vocal-driven tracks lack this problem as the structure stays true to a singular melody. It is clear We Are Castor really shine as an actual group when the opportunity arises; the instrumentals may emphasize individual talents throughout the band, but it lacks moments when that chemistry as a band is as apparent. Nonetheless, the instrumentals still hold wonderful fluency and prove to still keep your attention as much as songs on the debut. It is also worth noting that the last 3 songs are remixes of Bon Voyage tracks; all of which are in an EDM or house style, which is still apparent to the concept.
Invade & Disco takes what was missing from Bon Voyage to prove We Are Castor are able to be more complex musically. Following a disco concept has also allowed the band to show what they can do in regards of their base-genre being electronic. Even if Bon Voyage is a slightly better album because of the more apparent chemistry of the band, Invade & Disco really completes what We Are Castor are capable of, all while staying true to their unique style.
---Pro's---
- Emphasizes musicality
- Little Repetition
- Songs have effective progression
---Con's---
- Holds less chemistry as a group
- Some songs may feel bare upon first listen
---Recommended Tracks---
- Papa Was a Rolling Stone
- West
- Bots
- Through the Fire
