Review Summary: Hopium offers a fresh mix of moods & genres that should appeal to fans of both their subdued and energetic works.
It's been about six years since Kingcrow released
The Persistence. This album marked a significant departure from the quirky, tangential prog style of their previous records, opting instead for a more subdued, emotive, and atmospheric sound that bore little resemblance to their earlier work. Given the abrupt stylistic shift in
The Persistence, I found myself wondering which direction Kingcrow would take next. Would they return to their roots or double down on the moody atmospherics? What I didn’t expect was the addition of an electronic element reminiscent of
Malina-era Leprous, while still preserving the atmospheric depth of their previous release.
Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of the electronics on my first few listens. They seemed to detract from the immaculate atmosphere that Kingcrow had effortlessly created on
The Persistence, and I felt that Diego Marchesi’s vocals weren’t dynamic enough for the poppier sections. However, after giving the album a few more spins, I began to appreciate the electronic elements. The song that had the most impact on my change of heart was “Parallel Lines”. Nowhere on
Hopium is Kingcrow’s blend of relaxed atmospheres and twitchy electronics better showcased than this track. The cyclical synth that runs throughout adds a sense of darkness to the rhythmic verses, while also providing a compelling counterpoint to the chill melodic choruses. My favorite moment, however, comes in the final three minutes when the song abruptly shifts gears, introducing uplifting keyboard melodies, a twitchy start-stop rhythm, and a surge of energy. In fact, "Parallel Lines" has quickly overtaken “Folding Paper Dreams” as my favorite Kingcrow song.
That said, there are still moments where Diego's voice lacks the dynamism needed for the music—like on "Glitch," a track that would benefit from a more versatile vocalist, such as Einar Solberg. Nevertheless, the music itself is undeniably well-crafted. The use of electronics and the increased energy compared to
The Persistence also makes
Hopium a more accessible listen, as it doesn’t remain subdued throughout its duration. Kingcrow still delivers their signature atmospheric tracks, but there are also
In Absentia-style songs, high-energy electronic rock pieces, and even the occasional electro-art pop track. While this variety means
Hopium doesn't establish a cohesive atmosphere as compellingly as
The Persistence, it does offer more highs and lows, resulting in an album that's overall easier to digest.
The Persistence was one of my favorite albums of 2018, and it still gets regular play to this day. While I don’t see
Hopium displacing the position
The Persistence holds for me, the inclusion of electronics and enhanced dynamics is a surprising yet welcome addition. An addition, I believe, will resonate with listeners who longed for a return to the quirky, angular sounds of
Eidos. Overall,
Hopium represents a positive step forward for Kingcrow, merging the moody atmosphere of
The Persistence with a fresh electronic edge that should appeal to those who missed the more dynamic style of
Eidos.
