REVIEWS
WRITTEN BY: MEG
In 2020, Glacier Veins left a stellar impression on the scene with their debut full-length, “The World You Want To See.” Now, the Portland, Oregon-based quartet has finally dropped its highly anticipated follow-up, “Lunar Reflection.”
“Autonomy” continues right where the last album left off, showcasing the distinct sound and vast range of influences the band is known for and bringing memorable vocal and instrumental hooks throughout. Second up is a song that instantly became a personal favorite, “Digging Myself Out.” This displays the technical skill the band members have as musicians, with the drums and lead guitars standing out a lot in particular. The vocals deliver one of many captivating performances during the chorus over the line “Digging myself out, is this allowed? I’m reaching up for the light, back in touch with myself now.” That lyric, alongside others (such as “spiraling out of the dark, see myself from above ground” and “‘cause the sun is so comforting, but he doesn’t show his face much”) points towards what is evidently the album’s primary lyrical theme - self-love and self-improvement. Track three, “Flower Moon,” does the same (“And I start to see how it all comes together / and life in alignment, who knows it better?”) and offers up some impressive vocal performances.
Lead single “Cover Me” brings lots of energy, and the band’s pop-punk and punk influences seriously shine through on this track. “Where Does It Go” follows suit, with uptempo instrumentals, catchy composition, and a standout vocal hook over the line “do you feel whole?” during the chorus. “Embers” contrasts quite a bit from the two tracks preceding it, with a much slower tempo and dreamy guitar tones. The vocals do get louder later on in the track, putting on another emotive performance. The darker tone and contrasting dynamics in “Here And There” engage the listener instantly. The bass and drums seem a bit louder in the mix of this one, making the track more powerful, especially when the choruses come in. During the final chorus, the key suddenly changes, adding a pleasant surprise before the song finishes. “Nurture” also has a slower tempo (although it speeds up in the bridge, where intricate instrumentals shine). The title of this song, as well as its lyrics, fit perfectly with the theme of growth and self-care on this album (“Take this space to grow and let the roots sink in, let’s nurture them”). “Know You” offers irresistible melodies right off the bat. The drums and bass do a good job of driving this track, the guitar solo really caught my attention, and the lyrics on this one show someone making progress and improving their life (“I know you, I see where you want to be / It’s true, the way through is working”). “Lenses” has a darker tone that makes it a very intriguing listen, and the vocal performance in the bridge is one of the best on the album. “Spiral Through” is a simpler track, but it fits very well with this album’s sound and tone. Frontwoman Malia Endres shows off a higher range of her voice on this song, and overall, this song transitions seamlessly into the final track, “Lunation.” The track brings a “full circle” element to the album’s lyrical theme, asking the listener “doesn’t it feel good to follow through?” and showing someone reflecting on the progress they’ve made. Combining introspective, thoughtful lyricism with a unique sound, “Lunar Reflection” is another outstanding album from Glacier Veins. "LUNAR REFLECTION" IS AVAILABLE NOW. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE:
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