MUSIC REVIEW
God is an Astronaut - Embers
    

Genre: Irish Post, Psych-Rock
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 58m
Where To Listen: will be released on September 6, 2024, via Napalm Records; pre-order your copy here: lnk.to/GIAA-Embers

RAVING REVIEW: Irish post-rock titans God is an Astronaut's newest album, EMBERS, creates a soundtrack of emotional evolution. The nine songs on this latest collection from the Irish trio, lauded for its ever-changing mix of space rock and electronic music, dive deep into the heart of existential sounds to form an aural journey that mirrors (and transcends) their musical exploration since 2002.

The album's first moments gently guide the listener into a quiet, considerate reflection on this harmonic journey. The Kinsella twins and Lloyd Hanney's meticulous orchestration span the sweeping vista to a deep, contemplative call. At the heart of EMBERS is a double-edged identity that sees its experimental sound break new, fresh ground on unconventional territory while seamlessly rubbing shoulders with directly contrasting classical scorelike sounds. The tracks introduce something musically profound with light and dark themes. Listening becomes a truly captivating experience that demands attention by interspersing reflective and hopeful components of sound.

Throughout the album, they meld an amalgamation of noises that denote a point when they perfected their exhilarating melodic blend. Layering the ethereal sounds of synths with the hard-hitting energy in percussion exemplifies how diverse their palette is for musical influence. EMBERS is uniquely instrument-rich, with contributions from guest musicians and instruments such as the sitar, cello, and zither. These ingredients form an experience that shows the band's push towards consciously seeking to push creative boundaries.

EMBERS serves as a new addition to the band's discography but also asks that listeners take a leap back in time through their music catalog and consider how far they have come. A couple of the tracks were almost too much, between all the different sounds and instruments fighting for dominance. The all-instrumental experience offers the potential for further introspection, as while listening, I started to hear lyrics within the sounds. I am about as far from a lyrist as you can get, but it might be an interesting pairing to see how someone approached layering vocals within these tracks.

EMBERS is a sonic odyssey, calling for the listener to journey into new and undefined musical territories. God is an Astronaut who further cements their evolving legacy as not just one of the pioneers in translating a potent live show into something even more profound in the studio. Every song is a story written for the listener to interpret and connect with.

There is a wealth of new ground for God is an Astronaut to grow with their music. Their enthusiasm for mixing various styles of music and constant collaborations offers up the sky as the limit. With an ever-evolving sound, they give listeners something new to experience with each track.

EMBERS is a shining example of how music always has something new to offer us. We only know what's around the next corner once we sit down and listen. This gives a layered sonic experience, proving God is an Astronaut’s status as a pioneer in instrumental post-rock.

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[photo courtesy of NAPALM RECORDS, ALL NOIR PR]

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