Runes Revival Review

Revival is the second album from Runes. After his first album Orphic, can he produce another of its ilk?

“Innocence” The albums opening track is a piano instrumental. It is like the opening overture to a much bigger concept. He has good piano chops. The result is a bittersweet, nostalgic composition.

It blossoms into “The Start,” with its eastern inspired rhythm guitar and Celtic vocals creates a scenic outdoor muse with its hypnotic raga acoustic guitar. There is a subtle reference in the lyrics to “Perfect Story” in his previous album.

“Monster” begins with a neon bubble synth mixed with the established eastern feel. “Monster” could easily be the first single. Runes seems to be restraining the highness of his voice, as if he is waiting for the right moment to unleash.

“Eliza” with its unsettling nocturnal atmosphere. It is like Wagner meeting Angelo Badalamenti.

“Soldier” with its 80s tinged synth, with real drums, the electric piano that conjures 16 –bit memories combined with the processed distortion makes the song cook. Runes builds a polished and refined song and lets his voice of the leash for a bit, it’s not too much but enough for the now.

“Let it Out” with its classical opening which has shades of Debussy. This is what emotional songs sound like with real heart.

“Why” with its fat bass drum sound building to a John Carpenter styled motif, which transcends into a lighter section. Runes shows he doesn’t need words, just the feeling.

On the title, track “Revival” he can conjure mood and feel before a single instrument is playing. With its medieval styled vocal phrases, there is a merger of eastern and western musical philosophies engaging in symbiosis, thus creating a new tapestry of music.

“Bad Boy” is the result of mixing indie music with electronica. Adding urban beats gives it more oomph. It’s like the dark half of “Lovers Side” from Orphic.

The final track “I’m Free” he sounds so exhilarated and elevated as he sings with sheer bliss.

Overall, I would compare Revival to Post by Bjork. Although, they are not musically similar the progression from the debut to the second album is. The arrangements are meticulously thought out for optimum effect in the final product. Runes had momentum behind his first record. Revival relays the momentum of the previous album sustaining and expanding upon it.

Stuart Ritchie