Editors – In Dream
With a career spanning over ten years, Editors have found themselves exploring and experimenting with their musical identity. Their fifth studio album In Dream sees their “old” rock and “new” synth and dance sounds meet, fitting a niche between their diverse musical interests.
No Harm, the opening chapter of the album, is an intense slice of spine-chilling dark pop infused with electronic flavours. A perpetuating descending synth melody gets the ball rolling as the track slowly morphs into a powerful wave of thrilling sounds and harmonies, painted by multiple arpeggiating synths, a minimal drum-beat and a piercing guitar riff that scream an ominous ambience. While the brooding, sonorous vocals of Tom Smith are embraced throughout the album, No Harm gives him the opportunity to expose his falsetto range, and has a crystalline quality like arctic wind breathing through the chorus.
The “slow-burn” frame of mind that permeates the album is further enriched by more imaginative sounds, perhaps most notably in Salvation and its pulsating introduction filled with orchestral strings. However, musically sidetracking with the synthpop number Life Is a Fear is a slight faux pas in the context of In Dream, as it detracts from the coherence of the album. It ought perhaps to feature on one of their other records.
One of the measures of a great and memorable album is the conclusion. The anthemic quality of closer Marching Orders is compelling as it escapes from the howling atmosphere of the whole, like a jet of light. Almost reaching the eight-minute mark, distinct traces of Elbow reverberate as the track peaks in a heart-pounding bass drum, big crescendos, rich harmonies, radiant synth textures and a euphoric chorus melody powerful enough to inspire a sing-along with many audiences.
While traces of Editors’ musical infancy are non-existent, In Dream is a captivating album that neatly finds a balance of their influences and interests to create a sophisticated body of music.
Isaku Takahashi
In Dream is released on 2nd October, for further information or to order the album visit here.
Watch the video for Marching Orders here:
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