A Loathsome Smile – Fantasy for Another Time, Volume 1
While the majority of the underground music scene is plagued by poor production values and a lack of creativity, Fantasy for Another Time, Volume 1 is relief on the notion that exceptionally well produced material can’t be achieved by unknown artists. Incorporating elements of experimental prog rock, goth, electronica and industrial metal, A Loathsome Smile brilliantly combines each unique style into an amalgamation more impressive than its parts in modern-day music. Moreover, his latest work is as incredibly well polished as it is composed, resulting in one striking listening experience.
Fantasy for Another Time, Volume 1 is absurdly unpredictable, and as a result slightly jarring. Each song is magically vibrant and colourful, changing subgenres within a genre as gracefully as an acrobat on a tightrope. Enter the Void starts slow, though charmingly paves the narrative structure of the album to come. My Aryan Valentine teases synth punk amidst a distorted cloud of clamour before it transitions into an explosive, twisted finale. Songs structured in a prog rock suite, such as Limbo and Liminal Wars, constantly shift and evolve. These songs maintain a rock-opera vibe without overstaying their welcome, while songs like Just Sleep and Cioran impressively incorporate shoegaze elements in a manner that is the antithesis of dream-like. Detailed textures are consistently brushed over A Loathsome Smile’s canvas like a baby spreading paint with its palms. This is especially noteworthy during Nemesis, its presence mired by an extraordinarily memorable instrumental finale. Picking a favourite is difficult among such a solid track-listing.
If you’re a fan of Nine Inch Nails’ gritty aesthetic and Vampire Rodent’s incredibly complex song-structures, A Loathsome Smile’s latest work is a no-brainer. The shoegaze elements are aggressive as opposed to dream-like, the theatrical conventions are appropriately tamed, and the industrial vibes reflect that of an enticing other-worldly civilisation. At the same time, it is deeply personal, down to Earth and admirably honest. Fantasy for Another Time, Volume 1 is a masterpiece.
Incredible
Listen to it on streaming services, or here:
https://aloathsomesmile.bandcamp.com/album/fantasy-for-another-time-vol-1
A Loathsome Smile – Fantasy for Another Time, Volume 1
