Just over a year after we got his last release, we are getting the companion piece to Scandroid’s The Darkness. In this EP we see a much different side to the artist, exploring realms not previously touched on (I feel like that’s something I mention each album, but it’s most true of this one). Quite frankly, the album titles are much more literal to the tone of the songs than I anticipated would be the case. While this definitely fits together with the first EP, there’s a stark contrast between the usage of the same sounds on the two albums. Not to be outdone by the previous track list, there are seven original songs this time (although two have been available for quite a while) with a remix of each aside from the short intro.

Something I haven’t noticed as much with the other albums is a song that feels I may actually hear on the mainstream radio. Not to say your local disc jockey couldn’t find their way into one of the previous albums, but Writing’s On The Wall is so catchy I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard it at some point outside of my own choosing. To be fair though, this collection of songs stuck with me more than any previous album of his after a single listen. By the time I was on my second listen I felt like I was already intimately familiar with each track, and not in a way that made me feel tired of listening. This could partially be because of sonic callbacks to previous songs, such as Everywhere You Go having a very familiar tempo and sound to Empty Streets, or perhaps his continued use of lyrical callbacks to songs going all the way back to the first album.

Purified is the longest song showcased here, clocking in just shy of seven minutes long. This is the song that feels like it would be the title track for the album, considering the lyrics and general sound best reflect the notion of the album. I got vibes of Devo while listening to this when there wasn’t singing, which is a large departure from the usual direction for these songs. Sadly, with the length as long as it is, it can struggle to keep listeners engaged, as it shies away from too much deviation. The following song titled I Remember You is the closest to shoegaze synth that this album hits, and is a nice juxtaposition to the final high energy songs.

Finishing up the album, remixes aside, are the previously released Time Crime and New York City Nights. For anyone that picked up Monochrome on vinyl, you’ll be familiar with the former. For anyone that hasn’t heard it, think of an 80s movie montage and the song that accompanies it and you have its seeming inspiration. As for the latter, it feels like a continuation from the previous song, but perhaps an end credits song. Saxophone to begin with, chilled out beats and synths beyond it, and a soothing voice aside from the revved up chorus that brings the saxophone back in. It’s a fun song and a fitting way to end the songs proper.

As mentioned, there are another six tracks on this EP, each remixed by a different artist. The style differences are drastic in some cases and much more minor in others. I can’t say I prefer any of these to the original versions, although they definitely deserve a place on the album as they’re each fun and add something different to the experience. It’s a fun look at just how different the vibe of the overall experience could have been. Many of the artists shorten the length of the songs, which may make the remix version of Purified the preferred one for some listeners. However, the sound is much more aggressive, which seems weird considering the original take on it and how it fit in with the rest of the soundscape. Alternatively, Lucy in Disguise’s remix of I Remember You is somehow even more chilled out than the original, and can easily lure you into a dream space.

When all is said and done, The Light opposes The Darkness beautifully in tone and lyrics. As is the norm at this point, many of the songs draw references to previous work, as the Scandroid discography is essentially a world that continues to be built with lore as each release is put out. If you’ve enjoyed the previous albums, there’s not much of a chance you won’t continue that trend with this. For those that haven’t gotten hooked in the past, this has a few songs that differ from previous albums and may be the best entry point yet. The one thing that’s certain is that you will be singing these songs well into the night after you’ve stopped listening.

8 out of 10

Pros

• Juxtaposition of Sound to The Darkness
• Ear Worms Galore
• Additional Lore

Cons

• Purified’s Length
• Some Callbacks are Overdone

The Light was created by Scandroid under the FiXT label. It was made available to pre-order November 8th, 2019, and will be available on December 13th, 2019. The album was provided to us for review. If you’d like to see more of Scandroid, check out the associated FiXT page.

 

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