Dublin-based artist, Sean Macleod’s album ‘That’s When The Earth Becomes A Star’ spans 10 philosophical pieces with a raw, lyrical approach. On the music side, the album certainly has a distinct alt rock soundscape that Macleod is able to bring out using a blend of instrumental textures, crafting a dingy, atmospheric vibe with a simmering reverb somber vocals and bass heavy quakes.
Take control The opening track is one of those tracks whose melody stays with you, carved out of a haunting soundscape, as the vocals submerge in and out of the instrumentational soundwaves.
Inside out is a lot more dark in tone and instrumentation, using a thuggish bass, and an arrangement that brings out a more grungy and menacing vibe, while not losing out on the catchiness.
Let the light in brings in an air of friendliness, playing with the rhythm, while a viscous shimmer is added to the instrumentation floating atop.
Who Unchained the Earth from the Sun brings in a more somber, drifty setting, keeping it mellow with just the metallic strings of the acoustic guitar echoing through the space, while a few bass notes below make subtle entries.
When the Earth Becomes a Star As a follow up to the previous track, this track goes back into the giddy-happy tone, bringing more peppiness from the drums, grit from the instrumentation, while still keeping it positive and upbeat.
I Know Not This particular track, in a whimsical twist, breaks all musical ‘rules’ taking the instrumentation through completely dissonant territory before bringing it right back to a sturdy melody, very cleverly using the bass as an anchor alongside Macleod’s vocals , with jangly and tinsel-toned textures on the side.
Illuminate Keeping the whimsical rock vibe, this foot-tapping track, involves more floor space for whirring synths, guitar jangle and hints of electronic tones, whilst keeping the soundscape within the same family.
Give ‘Em What They Want A callback to the rusty textures from the opening two tracks, the track leans into its reverb-heavy grunge territory while experimenting with a hypnotic bass , crispy synths, as rustic guitars.
We’re Not Afraid Anymore Takes it back into brighter territory with a friendly melody, more vocal-led and more crackle from the electric guitars.
Goodbye a perfect note to end the album with, the song blends piano and shimmery instrumentation with its now-familiar guitars-led layers, keeping the tone bittersweet and nostalgic.
Overall, each song offers a new musical perspective, keeping all songs in the same zone, while branching out creatively, tapping into new moods and textures, whilst giving the listeners some existential themes to mull over with a cup of tea.