Appreciation album review : Another Sky - Beach Day (1 Viewer)

[Willow]

Today I am going to review Beach Day, the second album of London's Another Sky.
It was released on the 1st of March (last Friday).

about the band:

Another Sky was formed in 2014, while the members were studying music at university in London.
The band consists of Catrin Vincent (vocalist), Jack Gilbert, Max Doohan and Naomi Le Dune.
In 2016, before naming the band, Catrin wrote an unreleased song called "Another Sky" based on one of Emily Dickinson's poems.
They chose this name, because they felt more complete when they are making music together.
Their first album " I Slept On The Floor" was released on the 7th August 2020. It received overall excellent reviews from musical experts.
A lot of them pointed out Vincent's voice, which is really recognisable (quite unique) and can be androgynous from time to time.

about the album:

genre: post-rock, progressive rock, post-punk
country: England, UK
release date: 1st March 2024

Prior to the album releases, Another Sky shared a few singles (Psychopath, A Feeling, Burn the Way, Uh-Oh, The Pain, Swirling Smoke and I never had Control). The album announcement was made official around October of last year, with the release of a song called "Aimee Caught a Moth".
This song wasn't included in the record, however it remains a good introduction to the album's whole atmosphere.

tracklist:

1. BEACH DAY
2. THE PAIN
3. A FEELING
4. UH OH!
5. I NEVER HAD CONTROL
6. DEATH OF THE AUTHOR
7. BURN THE WAY
8. PSYCHOPATH
9. PLAYGROUND
10. CITY DRONES
11. I CAUGHT ON FIRE
12. STAR ROAMING
13. SWIRLING SMOKE
​

 

[Willow]

about the songs:
While the first album was more focused on the instrumental parts, Another Sky's latest release shifts its attention towards captivating storytelling. I was particularly struck by the impressive range of Catrin's vocals! I also enjoyed that this album smoothly blends various genres, from the slower-paced to the punk-like tracks.

I found Catrin's performance particularly compelling in the ballad-like songs, such as "I Never Had Control" and "Swirling Smoke."
Her vocal performances in the quieter songs are particularly impressive. Her vocal delivery in quieter songs has left me speechless!

However, the album has its flaws, as some songs are slightly less impressive. Now, I'll delve deeper into my thoughts on each song individually.

Starting with the album opener "Beach Day," it serves as a good introduction to the overall album experience that follows. The track sets a captivating tone with its atmospheric and emotive instrumentation, complemented by velvety vocal delivery. The following song "The Pain" gradually builds in intensity, starting off with an acoustic instrumentation before gradually evolving into something more powerful and impactful. The upbeat chorus of 'The Pain' serves as a stark contrast to the album's opener, adding depth and complexity to the overall listening experience.

With the next two songs, the pace accelerates, the rhythm becoming notably faster. "A Feeling" starts with a few spoken lines delivered in an high-pitched American accent. Proclaiming in an ironic tone : "I woke up at 7 a.m. and did yoga, some cleaning, and even had time to schedule in my mental breakdown." This song is criticising the hyperconnected world we are living in, and the necessity to share every single event in our day.
"Uh-Oh" is one of the fastest-paced songs featured on the record, delivering a punk-like energy. The guitars are solidly represented, driving the song forward with their raw intensity. Just like "A Feeling", "Uh-Oh" has catchy chorus and heavy guitar riffs.

Following those two faster-paced songs, we transition to the ballad-like yet emotional "I Never Had Control." It maintains a mid-tempo throughout the song, but that doesn't diminish its impactfulness. It showcases Catrin's vocal sensitivity and her ability to convey emotions through music.

Then comes the song "Death of an Author," which maintains a mid-tempo pace but with a rougher edge.
The addition of heavier guitars adds a deeper layer to the entire song. Probably one of my favourite songs in this album!

The next song "Burn the Way" sounds like a song that could have been released back in the 90's. One standout feature is its dynamic drumming part, which adds a compelling rhythm and energy to the song. This track leans towards the heavier side of the album, just like some songs I have previously described above. It showcases Another Sky's versality in the finest way, adding more diversity to our listening experience.

The following song, 'Psychopath' picks up the pace with its driving rhythm and aggressive guitar riffs. The song is built around an effective riff, but lacks a distinct melody. Despite the lack of melody, it remains one of my favourite songs because Catrin's vocal are just remarkable here.

"Playground," "City Drones," and "I Caught On Fire" are all mid-tempo songs, serving as a transition between the heavier tracks like "Burn the Way" and "Psychopath," and the album's two final songs. "Playground" being particularly impressive among the three I have mentioned. Everything in that song is perfectly executed, from the harmonies to the instrumentation. Moreover, it features a lot of different variations, such as adding a second voice in some parts and playing with changes in speed. "City Drones" is also well executed. I particularly enjoy the melody and instrumentation throughout the entire song. Probably one of the most exciting songs featured in the record (yes, once more!). “I Caught On Fire” is a harmonious song overall as well. I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere of it.

Finally, the album ends with the tracks “Star Roaming” and “Swirling Smoke”. Starting with “Star Roaming”, it is definitely not a bad song, but I feel like it doesn’t fit the album as much as other songs on this record. Slightly less impressive than others, however it is still a decent song. Especially being after such great songs that are “City Drones” and “Playground”, we feel the difference. Last song of the record was revealed as the last single prior to the album release. It is also the longest song of the record. “Swirling Smoke” is closing the album with an acoustic like atmosphere. Pretty coherent overall as a song but just like “Star Roaming”, it lacks this little something that makes THAT song.

Overall:
The album offers a nice diversity of songs, from ballad-like to punk/heavier ones. Catrin’s voice adds more singularity and uniqueness in how the songs are delivered. I really enjoyed the whole experience. I would recommend trying it, although her voice can be pretty disturbing at first to some people. You just need to get used to her vocals in order to truly enjoy them. Definitely one of the best albums I have heard this year and maybe even in this decade.
​

 

[Willow]

@ParksAngel301 @Tickita @AtaraXio @OnlyCalB @Ahsoka @peaches @uran

 

[ChiaraStar169]

This album is a perfect mix of chill tracks and headbangers. I didn't think I'd like it with the lead singer's falsetto, but by "I Never Had Control", I was used to it. I give this album a solid 9/10 jbc I had to get used to the falsetto. lol

 

[Willow]

This album is a perfect mix of chill tracks and headbangers. I didn't think I'd like it with the lead singer's falsetto, but by "I Never Had Control", I was used to it. I give this album a solid 9/10 jbc I had to get used to the falsetto. lol

she indeed has a pretty unique voice I felt the same about her at first to be honest

 

[Pirioca]

A nice album and a very good review!

 

[Willow]

A nice album and a very good review!

not finished yet :))

 

[Pirioca]

not finished yet :))

But so far it is a very good review!

 

[Willow]

But so far it is a very good review!

I went only through the half so far :D

 

[uran]

Very good review so far Ill check rhe songs when i wake up

 

[Willow]

Very good review so far Ill check rhe songs when i wake up

Thank u

 

[Willow]

@ParksAngel301 @Ahsoka @peaches @AtaraXio @uran @Tickita finished! Be free to correct my English if you see smth wrong ;)

 

[ChiaraStar169]

very good! I could never go into that much detail with my reviews, and even if I do, it's always the same comment worded differently. lol

 

[Willow]

very good! I could never go into that much detail with my reviews, and even if I do, it's always the same comment worded differently. lol

I have spent smth like two hours on it

 

[Willow]

@Yerichu @Moguri @kimsguardian @lexus @Sooyaabean maybe you can help ;))

 

[Pirioca]

It's a very good complete review too!

 

[Willow]

It's a very good complete review too!

I tried my best, but there might be grammatical mistakes

 

[Pirioca]

I tried my best, but there might be grammatical mistakes

I understand your review and that's what counts for me.

 

[Willow]

I understand your review and that's what counts for me.

I am glad you do!

 

[Yerichu]

Well said I like how you express your thoughts on this album