REVIEWS
WRITTEN BY: MEG
UK alt-rockers Led By Lanterns have been consistently releasing music since they debuted in 2016. 2018 brought the release of their EP “Ashes,” and a steady flow of singles followed, all preparing for the band’s long-awaited debut full-length, “Paralysis.”
The album begins with “Alive,” which offers so many irresistible hooks both in the riffs and especially the melodies. The chorus is one of many memorable ones found on the record, and the feature from Trash Boat’s Tobi Duncan adds a little extra grit and aggression to the track. The record’s title track is second up, and the intro hints at the poppier influences found on this album through the synths leading it. The lyrics of this one talk a lot about mental health depicting how it feels to be struggling with mental illness in the verses (with one example being “Am I cursed or overtired / Gets worse when I close my eyes”) and the chorus showing that person admitting how they’ve been feeling and asking for help (“I feel the devil’s weight holding me down / I’m trying to speak, I need you to hear me out / I keep reaching out / I’m somewhere between the real world and make-believe”). The darker, moodier tone of the song fits it perfectly, the chorus is extremely emotive, and the riff-centric breakdown towards the end hints at a heavier side of the band’s sound.
“DXWN” incorporates some synths and glitched vocals in its intro before groovy bass and guitar riffs take the lead in the verses, building up to the pop-influenced melodies found within the choruses. “Criminal” starts off similarly to its predecessor, bringing back the synths and some chopped up vocal effects, but the electric guitars quickly kick in and blend very nicely with the poppier production. This song has yet another massive chorus, and the screamed vocals and more aggressive guitar riffs in the bridge were an unexpected but pleasant surprise that once again showcase that side to the band’s music. “Disconnected” offers catchy hooks over some simple lead guitar lines and drumbeats, and the song combines the pop and rock elements of the band’s sound very well. “Six Feet Down” returns to the album’s central theme of mental health awareness, with lyrics speaking about how it feels being at rock bottom, wondering if things can get better (“I want to feel alive, but I feel forgettable - better yet, invisible / Is it too late to save my life if it’s not my turn to die?”). The vocals and some intriguing drum fills carry the verses here, and a catchy pre-chorus launches into another huge chorus. Another highlight of the track is a neat little Easter egg, that I noticed within the lyrics - the line “Cause if I dig a little deeper, I’ll be living in the catacombs” references the title of the following track, which I felt was a very clever detail. As that lyric foreshadows, track number seven is titled “Catacombs,” which starts off on a heavier note compared to the tracks before it, opening with screamed vocals and pounding drums, which remain during the verses (alongside chugging guitars). The first lyric in the chorus is “sick of living in the catacombs,” another line that perfectly encapsulates living with mental illness and feeling stuck in that headspace. The heaviness returns again later on for another breakdown, and the drums bring a lot of energy during that section. “Satellite” begins on a heavier note too, with the bass and drums being the most prominent instruments in the first verse, and another interesting lyric is found in this song: “I want to live my life with open eyes cause if I die tomorrow I want to know what follows.” “Fever” is similar, with softer verses and a more midtempo rhythm, and the chorus on here offers up another strong vocal hook over the line “some people want to see the world burn.” “Good Enough” is last, and it starts off similarly to how the previous track does. The vocals really take the spotlight in the first verse, and the pop influences shine through during the entirety of the song. Courage My Love vocalist Mercedes Arn-Horn joins in about a minute into the song, and her voice fits very well on this track, both during her solo performances and the harmonies alongside Led By Lanterns lead singer Shaun Hill. Mercedes takes control of the second verse, which is where the drums really kick in and stand out a bit more before a bigger second chorus. The song’s lyrics show appreciation towards one who’s been there for you during your darkest moments and stayed by your side, no matter what (“When the lines are blurred and reality fades, you show me my worth / Even when I’m at my worst, you stay”) and also show someone wanting to better themselves and be the best friend or partner they can be for this other significant person in their lives (“And I want to make myself better, but sometimes it can take forever / I try, but I fall every time / I get stuck, if it wasn’t for us, then I’d probably give up”). The tracks on “Paralysis” all contain unforgettable hooks and performances, as well as relatable lyricism, and as a whole, this album is an outstanding debut from Led By Lanterns. "PARALYSIS" IS AVAILABLE NOW. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM BELOW:
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