Review Summary: Well-intentioned but poorly executed, "Forever" doesn't stand the test of time
Mystery Skulls is an American solo act by Luis Dubuc, perhaps best known for his single “Ghost” off this album, which landed on the US Hot Dance/Electronic charts at 15. This is his first full length release.
This album tries again and again to blend a traditional orchestra with electronic instruments. While it’s ambitious for the genre, it clashes most of the times it’s used. One of the best examples is the title track "Forever", which really grates against the ears when the synth comes in over the orchestra. It’s used more effectively in “Paralyzed”, but only because the two elements aren’t playing simultaneously. Whether it’s the choice of more abrasive synths, or just how opposite the two styles are, it just doesn’t come together in this album.
It’s disappointing to see that blending of styles fail, considering how well those elements can blend in albums like Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”. Lyrically and instrumentally, this album draws parallels to Daft Punk’s in more ways than one. It’s worth mentioning the song “Magic” uses the exact same chord progression as “Get Lucky” off of Daft Punk's 2013 release.
Other songs like “Hellbent” or “When I’m With You” don’t even try to bring new elements to the music. The album isn’t trying to move in any new direction on these tracks; it's really just the same type of music you could overhear at any given nightclub. These tracks are uninspired at best, and completely forgettable at worst.
The album’s not much to look at lyrically either. Nearly every song is about relationships or sex, with “The Future” having the ultimate example of: “Ain't got no time to waste on pussy,” or “Never grope enough, you know it's just the way I do it... And when you least expect it, I'll be coming from your room.” which really just give the song a creepy, sexual-predator-watching-you-sleep vibe.
The strongest track off this entire album is “Ghost”. The lyrics are unique, being the only song to not focus on sex, money, and being lonely. The synths are placed exactly where they should be on the track, and the majority of it is put together fairly well. It’s apparent that Mystery Skulls put the most effort into this song, being its only single. It would’ve been nice to see that effort put into the rest of this album.
However, there are positive aspects to the album as well. Even if Dubuc’s voice does get old after a few songs, it still does well in songs like “The Future” or “Number”. And the album’s attempt to blend genres is still ambitious. It doesn’t succeed in its ambition, but it does still pose an interesting combination. Certain parts of the album like the refrains in “The Future” use electronic instruments in a unique way, but those parts of this album were few and far between. The album had potential on songs like “Body High” with the solo piano at the beginning, but it was wasted with the addition of still more synths.
Altogether, the album aspires to be something unique and worth listening to. Unfortunately, it fails to reach that height, and for the most part, falls into an unremarkable spot among other Electropop releases.
