Review Summary: A catchy, cohesive package of melancholy fuzz
Sharing a member with Suis La Lune, my expectations for Sore Eyelids were high; as I'm sure many others also would have been. Thankfully they do not disappoint in any aspect as this release is cohesive, unique and emotionally touching. It's also a slow burner, as while it's fun on first listen - it really grew on me over time.
For a band so influenced by shoegaze, Sore Eyelids maintain a very high tempo overall, but punctuated with slower, twinklier transitions - something which serves to set them apart from other bands. In the softer passages the guitar is somewhat reminiscent of Alcest, specifically Les Voyages De L'Ame. However these are employed in a much shorter framework, wherein the transitions are rapid. This is one of the main aspects shaping their sound, and contributes greatly to the incredible energy Sore Eyelids pack into this release.
Most shoegaze acts (even the emo influenced ones) seem to bring on more of a haze, however Sore Eyelids associate themselves with something different. Where many shoegaze acts conjure a sway in their audience, Sore Eyelids bring forth an energy that make you want to jump and move. In my time with this album I've constantly envisaged a show bathed in a low blue light and a crowd of people moving with an intensity reflecting the drumming. Cutting through this the guitar is lush, punctuated by the complete melancholy of the vocalists unique delivery. Somehow I've never heard vocals quite like his, whether it's inflection, cadence or some other aspect I don't know. I just know that I can't make a comparison for it, it's something I've never heard before. And it's a scene that keeps replaying in my head, one I'd love to experience in person.
Lyrically nothing here is earth shattering, but despite this they do have some personality to them. Passages like like the below have an almost tongue in cheek edge to them, that in conjunction with the melancholy creates a nice self-aware and digestible package.
"My only claim to fame: You were once in my arms
My only claim to fame: You were once here with me
You were once here"
The tracklisting mirrors the cohesive nature of the lyrics, as every song is stylistically similar to the last. This is something that can at times be dangerous, especially on long albums. However at 41 minutes, Sore Eyelids steer mostly clear of this. A few minutes could perhaps be shaved off the runtime, but this is a minor concern. On the flipside it does mean this album seems very much a singular entity. The songs make the most sense within the context of the album as they run into each other. It also seem as if they would translate well into a live setting - something I think is important for a band like this.
I can honestly say that this release surprised me with the extent to which it grew on me. I find myself singing the slightly quirky and catchy vocal lines all the time, as the intense drumming plays back to me in my head. And I also find myself thinking about how special these songs would be in a live context and hoping that at some point I get the chance to experience that.
