Review Summary: A very strong sophomore effort from a band that seems destined for stardom.
As someone who doesn’t typically frequent post-punk,
Aurora surprised me. Its aura is radiant, combining new wave guitars with frontman Gage Allison’s wistful vocals. The album reminds me of the few gothic-adjacent artists that I’ve always enjoyed - namely legends of the 80s like Echo & The Bunnymen. The melodies are explosive and pop-leaning, covering
Aurora in an addicting sugary glaze that makes it every bit as infectious as it is atmospheric. Simply put, it’s a catchy, polished record that is capable of converting even on-the-fence listeners like me.
With ‘Exodus’, we’re immediately introduced to Lathe of Heaven’s bread and butter as levitating synths, galloping drums, and soaring choruses set the scene for what’s to come. ‘Aurora’ follows suit with an equally stunning backdrop, only this time paired with what is hands-down the album’s most memorable and romantic refrain: “The poetry of loss, unsaid upon your lips / Knowing you’re still there, whеn nothing else is left / Lost in purе devotion, tracing heaven lying next to you.” Speaking of the lyrics, Allison’s choice of words is almost uniformly breathtaking- and it’s a strength we continue to witness on ‘Just Beyond the Reach of Light’ when he sings of being transfixed by the power of love, atop a slow-motion avalanche of thunderous drums: “I’m trapped in her caress, a merciful eclipse / To make me feel alive just one more time / Fixed upon your beauty, I cast twin reflections / Echoes of perfection defy space and time / Moments lived without you kill in slow motion, so I hold onto this lie.” So much of
Aurora sounds like poetry in motion, a credit to Allison’s prose and the band’s imaginative methods of bringing them to life.
While the gossamer sheen of ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’ largely keep the magic brewing,
Aurora’s latter half leans into a more punk-driven sound that doesn’t ascend to quite the same heights as the album’s shining gems. It’s a mixed bag; while ‘Matrix of Control’ and ‘Catatonia’ are competent heavier tracks, they don’t really match the prevailing vibe of
Aurora or leave anything memorable behind. On the other hand, ‘Infinity’s Kiss’ features just enough of the band’s slick melodic inclinations and flourishing synths to not only feel like it belongs, but also stand out as something of a late-album find. The almost jarring change in dynamic from the first half of
Aurora to the second half prevents the record from reaching its full potential, but at the very least, it will provide variety for listeners who prefer something a little heavier and edgier than the shimmering likes of the title track or ‘Just Beyond the Reach of Light’.
What we end up with here is a very strong sophomore effort from a band that seems destined for stardom. The peaks here are massive: incredibly catchy, beautifully produced, and lyrically awe-inspiring.
Aurora is worth diving into just to hear these spectacular moments. Time will tell if they will continue to pursue the heavier goth-rock direction that some of these tracks employ, but this much is certain: Lathe of Heaven are here to stay, and
Aurora is likely to be one of the most slept-on gems of 2025.
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