“As I fall into the empty space, all I wanted was to see your grace.”
I’ll admit it – I actually quite like when bands toy with softer sounds. I feel that there is a certain degree of maturity in deciding to shed some heavier skin in aid of honing in on what you do best as a unit. That is, of course, if it truly is in the best interests of your sound, rather than a trend-chasing misfire that sees your songwriting plummet into the void. Thankfully, on Ultraviolet, UK-based post-hardcore unit As Everything Unfolds align themselves with the former of the two camps, truly honing in what they’re best at and, largely, staying laser-focussed on it.
That’s not to say Ultraviolet doesn’t have its heavy moments. As we’ll touch on a tad later, while its focus doesn’t often land in that realm, the group’s sophomore record isn’t afraid to dabble in some of the heavier sounds of their past, but there seems to ultimately be a refinement in their sound here that is evident across the entirety of its 36-minute run.
See, where Ultraviolet truly blossoms, is in its melodicism. Huge, crowd-chant-ready choruses and hooks permeate the runtime of Ultraviolet, and it’s more than welcome. That’s not to say 2021’s Within Each Lies The Other didn’t have some meaty hooks, but on Ultraviolet they are truly a different breed. Lead single “Felt Like Home” in particular stands out in this regard, with one of the strongest and catchiest hooks I’ve heard all year, despite (or perhaps aided by) its simplicity.
This is only further evident on opener and title track “Ultraviolet”, which sets a fairly level expectation of what’s to come on the record. Anthemic, riffy, energetic, and with a taste of heaviness, “Ultraviolet” serves as a great mission statement for the record. Of course, aforementioned cut “Felt Like Home” follows, standing as an immediate highlight, having not comfortably left my mind since its release back in October.
Unfortunately, a huge bump in the road rears its head early on in Ultraviolet. Third track “Slow Down”, while valiant in its effort to switch up the album’s pace early on, ends up falling wholly flat due to some incredibly odd choices in vocal delivery. The half-sing, half-scream style of the track’s heavier moments simply does not do the track justice, feeling half-baked and lacking in conviction much of the time, and swiftly sapping much of its impact away. While the track’s softer moments still maintain some of the album’s strength in its melodicism, relatively speaking it still holds some of the weaker ends of those aspects across Ultraviolet.
Luckily, “Slow Down” proves to be but one small bump in the greater journey of Ultraviolet, however, as the album quickly picks back up with “Saint Or Rogue”. Opening with a gorgeous lead guitar lick, which serves as the main backing to the track’s barnburner chorus, “Saint Or Rogue” course corrects in style, with one of the record’s strongest cuts. The track further impresses with a breathtaking bridge leading into its final chorus, which serves to truly amp up the emotive factor of the track tenfold.
Jumping a few tracks ahead, we reach “Flip Side”, which, while standing as the record’s ‘token heavy tune’, still maintains much of the album’s core strength in songwriting within. Focussing less on the album’s keenly melodic angle and more an aggressive one reminiscent of their past releases, “Flip Side” is a frenetic shift in energy, but a welcome one in moderation. Featuring not only the album’s heaviest moments in its main riff and breakdown, but also one of its best hooks, “Flip Side” is a great all-rounder that is sure to lure in fans of the heavier sound of their previous work, even if just for a moment.
As we reach the final stretch of the record, we’re met with “Twilight”. The track seeks to somewhat carry the energy of “Flip Side” on in moments, sprinkling in tastes of riffy heaviness amongst a more generally rock-oriented sound. Penultimate cut “Daylight” contrasts this with a relatively more reserved and melodic approach that works wonders. Featuring yet another brilliantly soaring chorus, one would assume such an abundance of great hooks would cheapen the effect a bit, but almost every hook across Ultraviolet lands with the utmost strength.
Closing number “All I’ve Ever Known” picks up the pace once more, with an upbeat rock cut featuring some triumphant guitar work, as well as some subtle piano work that adds some welcome texture. One of the album’s most outwardly gorgeous and danceable tunes, “All I’ve Ever Known” soon closes out Ultraviolet in the most Ultraviolet way possible: with yet another masterful hook, leaving a lasting impression on its way out.
By its end, it’s clear that As Everything Unfolds have deftly avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, with a record that hones in on their most vital strengths and bolsters them. It’s certainly not all perfect, but it’s a hell of a time, and one that harbours many moments that would undoubtedly pop in a live setting. I believe As Everything Unfolds’ opus is still on the horizon, but if Ultraviolet is anything to go by, it’s closer than ever before.
7.5/10
Ultraviolet is due for release this Friday, April 21st via Long Branch, and you can pre-order the record here.