Barely over a month ago, we reviewed Spectre’s album, Angel In Trainers. And, as we are relatively shameless about our fandom, we called it, “Gorgeous and dark. Utterly and sonically satiating. A marvelous continuation in what is now an officially astounding collection of work.”
Now, the Crawley, United Kingdom-based spectral one also known as, Stuart Francis, has released the sequel to Angel, an equally dynamic, equally colorful collection of genre-obliteration.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Opening with, Womb To Ashes, Francis reflects the darkness of the day, questions his reality, and does so while uniting dark-down-tempo synth pop with acoustic folk. This is the Spectre we’ve come to know and love…
“From the womb
To the lashes
Remain the same
Then the pew
Don’t feel this life will change me
Don’t feel this world will heal me
Far from the womb
To a fascists gloom…”
The impossibly lovesick, Love Is An Ugly Friend Of Mine, feels like a track from the Smashing Pumpkins’ 1996 Mellon Collie Demos…
“What does love mean?
It means loss
It means over
Vacancy
It means endings.”
Filtered Life’s intro eventually settles and feels like early 90’s guitar rock. With the grit and grime of modern society as his muse, the track then ebbs and flows, alternating between psych and industrial styles.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK… Out of nowhere comes the acoustic rock ballad, Too Beautiful Life For Me, a simple little piece of radio rock with a psychedelic twist, and a cathartic bit of writing. It’s our favorite track on the album. (Think: Beatles & Bowie.)
“Too beautiful life for me
Too beautiful lie for me
Such a beautiful life for me
A true bloom in life for me
And as a wise man once said
It’s sure been a full life for me
And as a newborn once said
It’s sure been a full life for me
And when it gets you down
Listen through the sound
And when it drags you down
Don’t let it hold you down
And when it pulls you down
Silent fall
You make no sound
And when it pulls you down
Silent fall
You make no sound.”
Just to make sure you won’t try to pigeonhole even Spectre’s abstract style, the alt-synth-pop piece, Enough Of Me, comes along and tosses a drum machine, electric licks, synth, and even a touch of Flamenco style notes your way. But make no mistake, the day is dark. Sometimes it has to be. Stick around for the last 50 seconds of ambient, acoustic melancholy beginning at the 28:46 mark. It’s worth the wait.
IN CONCLUSION…
Absolutely unpredictable. An alternating sine wave between melody and rhythm. Undeniably dark. Undeniably laced with hope. Spectre’s latest album, the aptly titled, From The Womb, is a shameless and unabashed testament to young adult life in the modern age where disconnection and isolation can occur even in a sea of people longing to connect. As Stuart Francis’ work continues to evolve and unfold before us, there is a growing spaciousness which seems to be taking greater shape as he looks steadily and more deeply inward. This is not music for the faint of heart or the average enthusiast. This is music from AND for those longing to be understood, and wishing to connect with those who want the same.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Radiohead meets NIN with twist of 80’s & 90’s synth & guitar-rock…
BELOW: Listen to Spectre’s latest album, From The Womb, and connect with his social media platforms. Please support Spectre by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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