Review by Rachel Jablonski
My head is fuzzy, my mind a blur. Gazing straight ahead, though my eyes are open, I see nothing. I am calm and collected, lost in the moment. Haunting melodies alone saturate my awareness; I am suspended by the sound. The mood is somber, dark tones and words mellow. Even after the music stops the melodies continue, memorable piano pieces, steady rhythms, enriching synth, and soft vocals reoccurring in my subconscious.
In a rather reflective mood these past few days, I have inevitably established a strong connection to Through the Mirror, the soulful debut release by a trio of musicians from Champaign, IL called Relenter. Full of mood-driven synth/rock splendor, the album has a compelling temperament and harvests an emotional connection that will effortlessly engage any listener.
Engaging beats created by studio drums and electronics set the pace of the beginning track, a catchy tune called “The Finest Thread.” The low notes on a keyboard set a downcast tone while a prevalent electric guitar gives the song quite a rock edge. Musical elements reminiscent of bands such as Depeche Mode, Chroma Key, and Deadsy are evident somewhat in this track, but even more so in others.
The low buzz at the beginning of the title track is similar sounding to the low drones often present in a Deadsy song. The vocals on the album are at times reminiscent of Depeche Mode. The frequent use of the keys and combined electronics present a similar methodology to that of Chroma Key. Yet despite some of these similar aspects, Relenter is altogether unique. The keys present on Through the Mirror are beautifully played and are the core of the album. Songs like “I Said to Her” are wonderfully orchestrated with a piano lining. This lining is what clings itself to the subconscious and dominates thought patterns as the vocal melodies and beats secondarily, yet notably, accompany.
The reflective nature of Through the Mirror absorbs attention and maintains interest. It is an enriching debut release that floods the conscious with melody as the musical patterns pleasantly haunt the subconscious long after the music has stopped.