We’ve already let you have a sneaky listen to album opener Reflections of the Television, and reviewed I Became A Prostitute, but the time is finally here. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, let us present to you The Twilight Sad’s sophomore album: Forget The Night Ahead…Reflections of the Television begins atmospherically; thundering drums and a strong bass riff build upon deafening guitars before erupting into a wall of noise, creating that Twilight Sad sound we have all come to know and love.
Following on is I Became A Prostitute, the lead single from the album. Somehow, the band of four Kilsyth boys have found a way to make music that is loud and raucous, yet somehow restrained and well thought out; a fact apparent here, a track bursting with frontman James Graham’s thick Scottish accent and noodly fuzzy guitar lines.
Thirdly is Seven Years of Letters, the band’s forthcoming single. With all the lyrical mastery that has become synonymous with The Twilight Sad, the vocal melodies in this track are beautifully intertwined with huge mountains of sound; and the presence of a guitar solo amidst the fuzzy white noise creates a breathtaking listening experience.
Made to Disappear is, quite simply, a stunning track. Memorable and emotional, it brims with personal relevance, and it is clear that vocalist/lyricist Graham is singing from the heart. Melodic yet indistinct, the track meanders with tremendous force through brash emotions and blurry guitars.
Next is Scissors, an instrumental foray into post-rock, concocted in the studio with loops of noise, which perfectly leads on to The Room, a piece drenched in stark pianos and underscored by rumbling basslines, with guest Laura McFarlane (My latest Novel) on violin, reprising her role from the band's recent EP.
That Birthday Present is, unusually for The Twilight Sad, an up-tempo song, which storms through it’s 5 minute running time, and presents a powerfully exhilarating moments in an otherwise ‘exciting-for-different-reasons’ album. Lo-fi indie introduces the next track, Floorboards Under The Bed, before a luxurious piano melody paves the way into Interrupted, a Twilight Sad-by-numbers; the perfect blend of spiky guitar strikes and roaring basses under Graham’s distinctive voice.
Penultimate track The Neighbours Can’t Breathe begins with a dazzling guitar riff and builds as Graham’s vocals are added to the mix. The resulting sound is less noise, more anti-silence as the clatter of drums and layers of vague guitars grow and… suddenly end, leaving the slate clean for At The Burnside, piano and atmospheric guitars taking precedence until your speakers explode with a beautiful, almighty racket.
Throughout this record, there are many musical ups and downs, and it could easily be said that each song is a mini-album in itself. The Twilight Sad have seemingly done the impossible, and eclipsed their debut Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters. Many bands talk of the difficult second album, but the decision to write all their material at home, rather than on the road, has certainly benefited the band, who have once again outdone themselves. Buy it as soon as it comes out, and revel in its beauty.
Forget The Night Ahead is out on the 5th of October, with single Seven Years of Letters following on the 19th, both via Fat Cat Records. After a US tour with labelmates Frightened Rabbit, Brakes and We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Twilight Sad will hit the UK. Tour dates are available on their MySpace.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/thetwilightsad
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