Soft yet still filled with vigor, Turnstile rushes through in 'Glow On'
Turnstile's brand of Post-Hardcore has always been solid. With a soaring vocalist and great melodic sensibilities, the band just needed a kind of sound that would benefit from their perks. And with 'GLOW ON', Turnstile manages to get what sound that is.
Like the album cover of the album, Turnstile pairs their style with a soft, cloudy palette. This doesn't mean that their post-hardcore sound has been thrown away, but it provides contrast and broader dynamics to their melodies especially the addition of slower tempos, watery textures, moodier melodies, and welcome collaboration from Blood Orange to accentuate the softer aesthetic on some of the tracks. The grooves still kick ass, the vocalist still has a magnetic and powerful presence, and the melodies are punchy as ever and it manages to compensate for some of the thin percussion and handclaps throughout the album. And that soft palette also brushes over to the lyrics, keeping the vigor and thrill of life. There could’ve been more of those softer moments and additions of blissful synthesizers to provide more contrast with the bombastic cuts.
It’s a completely thrilling album from Turnstile, riding softer clouds of productive but never sacrificing their hardcore fundamentals. It’s a ride that never feels tiring, but rather, rejuvenating. And for these moments, that thrill is very much welcome.
Favorite Tracks: LONELY DEZIRES, HOLIDAY, BLACKOUT, UNDERWATER BOI, ALIEN LOVE CALL, FLY AGAIN, NEW HEART DESIGN, ENDLESS, WILD WRLD, DANCE OFF Least Favorite Track: HUMANOID / SHAKE IT UP