We loyal Spiritbox fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of the band’s second LP since we were told of its existence this past fall. We were given three singles and an 11-song track listing that actively kept us on the edge of our little seats for just about 6 months, now, Tsunami Sea is ours for the listening! I’ve spent some time listening to and pondering through its sonic scape; this album is truly fantastic from start to finish! The band did not disappoint and has certainly reminded everyone that Spiritbox means business and is most definitely here to stay!
The album opens with two absolute bangers, “Fata Morgana” and “Black Rainbow,” both immediately gripping the listener’s attention and encouraging the best head-nod/stank face you could ask for. For those unfamiliar with the term, a ‘fata morgana’ refers to a type of mirage caused by atmospheric light refraction where objects on the horizon line look distorted or even airborne. The arrangement of the song plays around with this concept of optical illusions by creating audible ones, a perfect combination of aggressive and melodic elements that push the mirage narrative forward and set the stage for what we can hope to expect from the album’s progression. “Black Rainbow” is the song that I most easily recognized as the quintessential Spiritbox. Between the pitch harmonics of Mike Stringer’s riffage and the electronic modulation of Courtney LaPlante’s vocals, I subconsciously drew familiar connections to previous releases like “Sew Me Up” and “Sun Killer.” A truly unique quality of this band is to be consistently true to their sound even as they explore its complexities, something this album thoroughly plays into.
Next, we find the album’s second single, “Perfect Soul.” With its clever lyrical composition, vocal harmonies, and instrumental mastery, everything about this song is epic! I love witnessing the utilization of vocals from bassist Josh Gilbert; the way his voice intertwines with LaPlante’s is something truly special. It creates such a unique new layer of feeling to not only this song but many others throughout the remainder of the tracklist. “Keep Sweet” finds itself sandwiched between two singles but does not let that interfere with its ability to thrive on its own. A job more than well done with the production and performance being very clever in conveying the seemingly frustrating ideology of ‘keeping sweet’. It is so strong both thematically and compositionally that it effortlessly propels the listener further into the sonic space, even when we know what to expect next. The 5th song of the album was our first introduction to the Tsunami Sea era, “Soft Spine.” I cannot say more than I truly love this song in all its sassy and combative glory! It is an angry to-hater anthem filled with loud guitars, quaking drums, and artful f-you lyrics that anyone can get behind!
Arriving at the album’s halfway point, we are enthralled by “Tsunami Sea” and “A Haven With Two Faces,” both embracing the tortuously beautiful qualities that create such a special part of the essential sound that is so uniquely Spiritbox. The title track is truly haunting, with lyrics like “if I stay here, you’ll wash away like a landslide” and “I wait as you hold your breath for someone I’ll never be,” illustrating the themes of the storyline connecting each song to the next. “A Haven With Two Faces” is the most aggressively beautiful waltz I have ever heard: the cyclical motion of the 3/4 timing, the symbiotic relationship between the guitar timbres, and the vocal breadth of LaPlante all encourage me to be swept away. These two songs are the heart of this album, creating a narrative all on their own to explore the push and pull between two very similar but vastly different extremes that may plague one’s reality.
The following two tracks illustrate the band’s versatility and openness to experimentation. “No Loss, No Love” is so unique as the verses abandon the familiar metalcore sound and opt for an electronic-inspired digital soundscape with a hushed, Madonna-esque spoken word overlay. “Crystal Roses” dives further into this EDM-inspired realm, heavily embracing an array of modulation and time-based effects. The inclusion of an intuitive use of digital elements is only a testament to the band’s unique sonic personality and the production talents of Mike Stringer and longtime collaborator Dan Braunstein.
I cannot easily pick a favorite song from this album, but I find that I enjoy “Ride the Wave” a bit more than all the rest. There is just something about it that just makes me want to listen repeatedly. The walking beat, like the familiar cadence of a lullaby, and the steadiness of the clean guitar line encourage me to cinematically visualize the contemplative train of thought expressed through the lyrics. Musical elements ebb and flow until reaching a final crescendo, finding the perfect hint of heaviness before sending the listener to their destination. The closing track of the album, “Deep End,” reminds me of something that would play during the end credits of a film. It is the perfect resolution to the album and is a very calming send-off. Some of my favorite instrumental moments came from this track with the triumphant nature of the drumline and the acoustic guitar outro. Both are proof of the range of their playing/writing abilities and showcase a different side of their talents.
Overall, this album is certainly great and will be in my personal rotation for the foreseeable future. I’m in awe at the care that was taken in fostering connections through subtle thematic elements, such as ocean waves and nature imagery. They were littered throughout the album and supported by the emotional vulnerability that stayed consistent throughout the composition. Spiritbox has always been authentic to itself, pushing boundaries but also embracing that which is comfortable. As an observer, I think there is a lot of external pressure that is put on this band to be irrevocably amazing, but in a general sense, that idea could lead to the abandonment of certain qualities that make them unique. Evolution and change are inevitable, but comfort and familiarity are also ever-present, and the primary themes of this record explore those connections. The band’s recognition of those concepts is something that sets them apart from their peers and will ultimately add to their present and future successes.
I highly recommend giving Tsunami Sea a listen (or 10), and be sure to catch Spiritbox live as they head out on their North American tour beginning April 3rd in Dallas, TX!