Insomnia hit me hard last night and I started listening to this album at like 3am (because I'm dumb). Just lying in bed, eyes closed and listening. Can say - listening to Glimpse for the first time in a very sleep deprived, hyperfocused state felt like I was falling into a fucking black hole lol
I enjoy that they diverted so hard from self titled. They knew they wouldn’t surpass it doing the same things, so they tried something different and it worked. Self titled is still GOATed, but this is great for what it is!
That's exactly what I was thinking, his mixes are very recognisable. Same deal with the recent Silent Planet as well, they all have a similar sound but are still distinctly different.
Loved this album. Fun mix of the familiar with some new vibes sprinkled in like the dark pulsing synth in Slow Sour Bleed. Does anyone else get Spiritbox vibes from Rumour of Light?
Massive Spiritbox vibes on multiple parts of this record. Which is kinda lame for me personally, I like and respect spiritbox but im not their biggest fan.
I definitely had similar feelings after my first listen - there was so much to digest that I couldn't really form any strong opinion. After 5+ listens now I'm fully feeling this album and loving every second of it. Wish/Glimpse, End To Excess, Rumour of Light and Idle Wild are my favourites atm but I'm finding something to love about every track.
As I told folks: I think people who came to this album expecting another Self-Titled are setting themselves up for disappointment. This is a different kind of sound for the band and personally I love it for what it is. It’ll still get tons of replays from me
When ERRA put out their self-titled Album, it was perfection, the downside of having such a perfect album is our standards are now way too high expecting something similar (which isn't bad either) but really affects our expectations subconsciously. I felt pretty much the same way throughout the album, despite being a solid listen, maybe 2 or 3 tracks really stuck to me. Compared to some of their other albums where I would easily love 100% of the track listing, this one definitely fell short. But I'm glad ERRA is still writing and making music, I know we will get that perfect album 2 eventually. I only expect better things coming from them! EDIT: It´s been a few weeks after the album released, and after a few listens here´s my new take: Everything from Rumor of light all the way to Past life persona is a fucking banger. Erra knows what they're doing, this album took a bit longer to actually get into, but hot damn now I can't stop listening. Still not a better album than the self titled, but it's very good and it gives us a new look at styles from ERRA. Love this band!
Thats what i thought, also this sound a bit like spiritbox, i like spiritbox but not even close to much i liked their style in S/T. If i had to rank this album i would only put it above neon.
I don't even know that I dislike Neon but not being able to listen with headphones killed it for me. If they every remake it then I'll give it a more fair shot
I love your honesty, and I feel you on your reaction. The boys have been saying their favorite songs off the self titled are the more laid back songs, and I think they are exploring a more laid back vibe. I think the issue with this is they've always been abstract lyrically. So when you strip back the energy, simplify the song structures, and even tone down the melody, there's nothing to connect with but the lyrics. tldr I totally get you not connecting with it and agree.
That's true. Honestly Jesse is a true artist and probably attributes to that more esoteric feeling. I appreciate it and it can also just not hit right sometimes
I didn't except much from this album too be honest but I have already listened to it front to back 3 times already. And I just love how this album makes me feel during. It's a really trippy/calming experience. Yet JT comes in at random points and slapps you awake to remind you he is still there.
It's definitely a different sonic exploration for the band in my eyes (or ears), so first expressions can understandably be not what we expected from the style we've heard for a long while now. Personally, I very much welcome it. If the Erra self-titled is the quintessential Erra sound, this record is a fitting release to signify the next step of the journey, so to speak.
I like the honesty. One of the reasons I still stick around - no bs and I find loads of new music through you. I do however disagree with your take on the album - easily my AOTY so far and I doubt anything will pass it by. These guys just write what I want to hear. The non-singles are so good. Idle Wild is my favourite after a few listens - it makes me feel like I'm on an adventure.
The only release aside from this one that I'm actually excited about it the one from Northlane. They're releasing an EP April 12th. We might get an album by LANDMVRKS as well though. They've been killin'.
I’m hearing some people (not me I’m built different) say the album grows on them over multiple listens so that may be what you need to do. Problem with first reaction content like this is that impressions change after multiple viewings, listenings, etc. Album is sick, lyrics are bleak as hell (and sick), the boys cooked.
I feel like this album is the perfect blend of Erra and Ghost Atlas. Its atmospheric and groovy, heavy but hits the feels in the right moments. I feel like Erra raised the bar for themselves after the self title, and they matched it but in a different way, and I'm all for it. Solid 9.5/10 absolute banger 🔥
Definitely a multiple listens kind of album. First listen was on the way to work yesterday and I felt the same as you. I picked out the same "memorable" songs as well. That grew on the listen on the way home, then when I listened to it again this morning, the willy was fully in hand lol
Crawl Backwards out of Heaven, Blue Reverie and Slow Sour Bleed were definitely my favorites on the album. Some of their songs were hit or miss for me too. Good album overall. Listened to this before the Alpha Wolf album as the clock turned over to midnight, Alpha Wolf's album was head and shoulders above the other. Can't wait to see you reaction to that one too
As someone who’s just a casual ERRA fan, I’m digging this record so far, I like that they’re focusing more on the groove and feeling of the tracks and building a nice atmosphere, it’s definitely the kind of album I see growing on me even more with time
This album, at least to me, is all the interesting and weird parts of the self-titled at 100%. People wanted them to experiment and I think people got that. The only song that pulled me out was Past Life Persona, I think it would have flowed better somewhere else on the album. This feels like an album of songs and not an album of riffs, both can be good, but the technicality doesn't feel like as much of the focus as the musicality, but that's just me and I can be wrong. 9/10 for me, but I can see how someone would score it lower.
I feel the same way. I’ve been listening to ERRA since Impulse and pretty much love all their stuff…but I haven’t connected with this one yet either. I can’t find the words to describe why, I just thought this album would blow me away and it hasn’t yet…and it’s honestly probably more on me than the actual album. Hoping more play throughs will change my feeble mind.
@@matthewfreeman33I think this is the best description for me as well. The music is good objectively it just doesn’t feel like ERRA’s sound that I’ve grown to love. Like the Neon album, didn’t care for it at all.
It’s too bad because there was lots of JT experimentation on the last album. High screams and gutturals on scorpion hymn. Singing on multiple choruses and bridges. And that kinda regressed for sure on this record
This album is amazing, I feel like people were hoping for more and not accepting this album for what it is. It feels like people wanted a part 2 or there self titled album.
Feels like ERRA, but not at the same time. Its been a few albums, but theyve managed to explore aspects of their sound that dont feel samey. If only there were more strong vocal hooks. Kind of find myself spacing out during a lot of the dreamy vocal stuff in some of these songs, and not in a good way.
On my third listen (been swapping between this and Half Living Things) and it's definitely a multiple listens thing. I wasn't sure at first now I love it.
I remember when the first single came out and everyone was griping (myself included) that it was “just another ERRA song.” The different sound direction was a WELCOME change for me. Noodly riff/chill Jesse section/JT breakdown Erra is fun but this feels so fresh to me. In the early stages I find myself just spinning the album front to back.
Been a fan of ERRA since their self-titled album from 2021 and I appreciate their attempts to evolve their sound with this new release. Personally I didn't listen to any of the singles beforehand at all whatsoever and I was a little surprised at how much of a different vocal approach Jesse took on these songs but I appreciate the new direction and I feel like these songs really pull me in and in a very good way! Also, I was so excited for this album based on the name of it because who could ever forget the cure spell from Kingdom Hearts! "Heal!" ~Sora This album feels like a great cure to problems I'm going through and it came out at a really good time for me personally. Cure away ERRA and thank you for this lovely work of art ❤
Bogdan youre totally not alone man. Im super conflicted on this album and im not really sure what to say about it either lol. I enjoy it musically but also am not connecting with it emotionally. Maybe subsequent listens will change things for me personally
the other songs on the album were completely different compared to the singles. based on the singles, i wasnt a fan of where the album would probably go but it surprised me. it's just a continuation of self titled with some new elements added imo. like it way more than the alpha wolf album
I think with the self-titled, they realized the shortcomings of Neon and really wanted to take a step back and give everyone what they wanted. Self-titled was definitely my favorite of the JT Cavey era, but this album really goes back to the early roots of Drift, and honestly I'm cool with it. This band has made a total of 6 albums with two EPs and a few singles, so we can't always expect a 10/10 all of the time. I will say, the flow of this album works perfect. I'm sure as time goes on I will enjoy the album even more.
First listen through I feel the same way, not hitting and connecting the way I was wanting but I do think this is a multiple listen album to really dive into the feeling and then eventually connect with it. Still enjoy it
havent listened the album yet, just got those cuts from your video and already got, idk, feelings man. even tho i havent seen the lyrics either. I do really love those kinda music that you can just heart it and FEEL things
I need to digest the album a bit more but on the first listen and a half I think I'll end up putting this above self titled. The song writing is just plain more mature, lyrically, sonically, everything.
This album was perfect to my ears! I enjoyed every song, and I can't complain about a fantastic band doing their own thing!! I loved hearing all the cleans as well! I got such a great vibe when I was jamming them at work! Your mind might be more focused on a reaction than enjoyment.
I'm with you. I was so hyped for this album and the first two times listening to it from start to finish I felt kind of disappointed. I still love ERRA for what they did with Cure, but it feels a bit more like a heavy Ghost Atlas rather than an ERRA album. Might grow on me over time, but for now I'd prefer the self-titled over this one.
Liked the album more than I expected. I don't think it holds up to the holy trinity of Self-Titled, Drift, and Augment, but it's still a damn good record. The departure from S/T is easily the best thing about this one, because at first I was worried they were just going to do the same thing all over again. But I should have known better because they're smarter than that. Not sure if anyone else felt this way, but it reminded me of their EP Moments of Clarity, which I find highly underrated.
This record reflects my feelings about ERRA as a whole. They are good. The album is also good. They are nothing if not consistent. Their Self-Titled however, in my opinion, is one of the best metalcore albums I've ever heard. Compared to the rest of their discog, it's like the future NBA player from your high school basketball team full of solid players. How exactly did Self-Titled get the "it" factor? The world may never know.
At first, when i heard this album, I was like, "Is this a Spiritbox?" and it was pretty boring, but then it got so much better over time, and I really enjoyed this album. I mean, some songs are pretty controversial in my opinion, but overall, this is a good album. I think my favorites are: Past Life Persona, Glimpse, Slow Sour Bleed, End to Excess and Wave. They seem really nice. I was never a fan of Erra, but this album got me even more into their sound, though I've heard all of their albums and most of them I couldn't get into besides Neon (which is a good album from start to finish in my opinion. Yes, even Augment wasn't as perfect, and Self-titled seemed pretty monotone for me). I find it hard to enjoy their albums as an overall experience, this is a small critique I can share about Erra. I mean, some of their singles are literally their best songs... Take, for instance: Eye of God, Psalm of Sedition... These songs didn't end up on any of the albums (besides the deluxe edition for one of these), but they seem better than most songs on their albums for some reason. Maybe it's all about my taste, but I think if only they focused on single songs and made a smaller album with something game-changing, soulful, and very detailed, this may end up like something incredible. Anyway, I always respected Erra and their fans, no matter the experience I had!
There is so much to unpack in this album - after a couple listens I adore it. It’s not self titled, but it’s so hard to compare. Different vibes from this and it’s great.
An album like this typically would have been a grower for me but I loved it immediately. I didn’t think I was going to from the singles but I was pleasantly surprised
The headspace you are in definitely effects a first listen. And when it comes to a band like ERRA, it takes multiple listens to fully appreciate their tracks. I personally love it and it keeps growing and growing on me.
I’m really glad that I purposely did. To have expectations going into this Album, because it’s allowed me to soak it in and gain perspective and just enjoy it. This record almost shows how much this group has matured and grown musically. Well done. Erra has forged us an absolute gem 💎
This is certainly a 'few listens' kinda album! It really sinks in on multiple listens. I think expecting a sequel to self title is a mistake, and a better expectation is ERRA reinventing themselves, using their core strengths to create a new yet familiar sound for themselves.
Ngl it did take me a few listen throughs to understand the album. But now I’ve had time to digest it and connect with it, I absolutely love it. Very different from their self titled but I really good showcase of a different point in time can produce a completely different style of ‘ERRA’ sound
This is the one of the first albums where I felt completly fine knowing I would have to give it 5-10 more spins before really diggin it. Still in love with their self titled, so this calm and vibey direction still needs some time for me to embrace it as much as I want to.
Do you guys remember how Jesse said that Vanish Canvas was his favorite song from the self-titled? CURE explores a lot more of all the vanish canvas vibes… at least this is what I observed 😂
Missed the grooves like in Electric Twilight, missed some heavy like in Scorpion Hymn and Gungrave, missed a flagship track like Snowblood...Self-titled set up such high expectations, that's the main problem i can't deal with
I'm pretty sure they knew that album couldn't be done all over again because of the high standards it set. I'm glad they chose to give us some new sounds.
I listened to this and Half living things a solid 5 tines each and can say that my expectations were exceeded for both records. For right now they're at the top of my 2024 albums, now to see what Like Moths To Flames has in store!
Haven't listen to it completely but I'm really enjoying it so far. I love the riffs from ERRA but sometimes felt that they could use with a bit of catchiness and a direction, and the ones a listen so far do it without compromising the heaviness and riffage
I had the same exact thoughts when I first heard it. But now that I’ve had time with it it’s already in that top AOTY spot for me currently. There’s just a lot to it and it caught me off guard the first time so much that I couldn’t enjoy it. Now that I’ve had time with it, I love it to absolute death
It's like... Good... But at the same time, it's just completely flying right over my head. It all kinda feels like background music to me. I don't know how to explain it other than it's "floaty". It's cool, but it's definitely not grabbing me and it's definitely not "catchy".
Yeah that was what i thought too. It kinda feels like album to relax to or do something while listening. Earlier albums are like experiences that you had to focus on music because it was so complicated and interesting. To say djenty zeros are cool for a moment but it gets really boring very fast.
This has surprisingly brought me back to ERRA. The last album had me but didn't stay. This one has amazing guitars, grooves, and the cleans are beautiful. That electronic Nine-Inch-Nails-esh song thrown in got me too. I quite enjoyed this actually (AOTY?).
I was lucky enough to review this album and I get what you're saying, because at first I wasn't sure how to feel about it. However, for me, once I really paid attention and checked my expectations, I was able to appreciate it for what it is, and not be disappointed for what it is not. Hopefully you'll come to love it in time, too. 🙂
I agree with you about what you said about the album, however for me I would rephrase it that I kinda got what I expected, just hoped for a self titled 2.0 kind of thing haha (sorry for being that guy lol). Just more stuff like Electric Twilight, Lunar Halo, Vanish Canvas etc... But still, just a first listen so I expect to like this a lot after listening to it more
CURE grows on you for sure. Feels like Erra's most personal album (even it a portion of it sounds like reworks from Jesse's Ghost Atlas project lol). When the album dropped i was 50/50 on Rumor of Light and Idle Wild but now they absolutely slap .
For me it's a 8/10 album! Love it, most of the songs on it are bangers, so I think it's a great album! But yeah imo their self titled (inclusive the bonus songs from deluxe version) is still their best work they ever made, but to be fair it was a masterful 10/10 album so it would be very hard to top that
I feel very the same on first listen None of it is bad its all on paper good but something just feels missing Maybe my expectations are too high because self titled was so amazing imo Ill definitely give more listens and see
Massive Northlane/Spiritbox vibes on this one I hated the singles (except Pale Iris) but the album flows so well and is just incredible through and through. Weird how all the songs I LOVED (Idle Wild (favourite), ETE, Glimpse) weren't singles but whatever the hell CBOOH is, was I personally really connected with this album emotionally, but I get the criticism as it is a very specific vibe and atmosphere that's right up my alley, but I understand that some people won't gel with that
I absolutely love this album. Love how moody it is. So Much respect for them veering in this direction and trying not emulate the self titled. Its early but so far it might be my favorite that they’ve done so far.
I think I we’ve had so much amazing new music the last year or 2 that people now expect consistently mind blowing music. I think we have been spoiled. It’s a solid album 8/10
I actually think it is a solid album. Im kind of surprised you felt nothing for Idle Wild, that song had the catchiest chorus in my opinion, its been stuck in my head, lol
as someone who´s always enjoyed vibey, calm ERRA a lot, this album is right up my alley. Could´ve maybe used one more heavy-ish song but in general I´m very happy with this, especially because all singles left me feeling pretty much nothing (except for Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven)
