“You don’t have to believe in anything.“
Based on names alone, L.S. Dunes is one of the most exciting and decorated post-hardcore supergroups in recent memory. Fronted by Anthony Green (Circa Survive, Saosin) one of the most iconic and storied vocalists across three decades of post-hardcore, this new project was always going to have a strong identity. Add in guitarwork by My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero and Coheed and Cambria’s Travis Stever, and a rhythm section comprised of Thursday duo Tim Payne and Tucker Rule, and L.S. Dunes is a recipe for success. Past Lives, their debut album as a unit, seeks to prove that.
The music speaks for itself. Don’t let the artwork fool you – this is a sophisticated, considered, and masterful release. Immediately, it is clear that this is not a cheap cash-grab but the passion project of an insanely talented and sincere group who feel as though they still have stories left to tell. From the first track, they tackle poignant experiences of suicidal thoughts with “2022”, a song previously released as part of Green’s solo project and given a new injection of energy by the punkier backing instrumentation of L.S. Dunes.
Even this lyrically intimate and pensive cut is given an angsty and enticing edge by the performances; Green’s delivery is animated and electrifying, the rhythm section is crisp and deep, and the layered guitarwork of Stever and Iero is delicate but lively. All in all, this new, amplified rendition turns the harrowing, desolate solo cut into a track full of life and grit, one which kicks Past Lives off on the front foot and tells the listener exactly what they’re in for: high energy post-hardcore anthems that are both meaningful and buoyant.
The guitarwork throughout the record is full of verve, alive with a subtle technicality that keeps the songs energetic and digestible whilst also having numerous licks and interesting chord progressions as Iero and Stever trade off. The early trio of “Blender”, “Bomb Squad”, and “Grey Veins” reprise a classic metal sound with guitars that straight up wail, the former weaving between progressive rock and metal leads in a delicate dance, “Bomb Squad” being among the more erratic and animated performances on the record, and the latter harking to early Coheed with a serpentine, pedal-effected lead which will definitely have you playing air guitar after a couple of drinks. In many ways, the politically-charged “Grifter” is one of the most complete tracks, taking the listener on a journey through the soundscapes of all the members’ principal bands and concluding with a minute of indulgent, labyrinthine guitarwork which would make many progressive bands blush – though the fade out at the end feels somewhat superfluous.
“It Takes Time” slows the pace down greatly. Something about the way in which Green delivers the lines, “Collect, collect, collect my anger. Collect, collect, collect my air. Collect, collect, collect my anger. Matter over mind, one day at a time,” is captivating, injecting a super catchy hook to make one of the record’s slower tracks really stick in the mind. “Like Forever” dives right back in with the frantic energy characteristic of Iero and Green, channelling some of the spirited angst that made early My Chemical Romance so appealing. It’s certainly one of the more bland and accessible cuts in the grand scheme of Past Lives but boasts some gorgeous falsettos from Green, and the guitarwork still never drops below ‘infectious.’
The penultimate pair of tracks, “Past Lives” and “Permanent Rebellion” are irresistibly nostalgic, both with a claim to being my favourite track. The latter opens with a progression that feels like a modern interpretation Nirvana’s “Stay Away”, then progresses to the frenetic, Green-driven chaos of early Saosin. It is everything there is to love about L.S. DUNES, The title track’s string section is absolutely enchanting, lending a lovely sense of texture to what is a very sombre and restrained bridge sandwiched between some absolutely incredible layered vocal deliveries from Green.
Certainly, his vocals shine across the record, but they are so prominent and integral to the soundscape that any who finds them grating or disruptive due to their stark uniqueness will probably not be able to get past them to the mature and hooky instrumentation. Which would be a shame, because it rocks. As someone who loves his tone, however, Past Lives is the best part of three-quarters of an hour of absolute showmanship – everything from glossy soaring cleans to frantic, distressed screams accented by immaculate guitars, prominent bass, and dynamic, raw drumwork. Everything fits so neatly together that it is hard to reconcile the finished product with the reality that each member wrote their parts separately during the pandemic.
“Sleep Cult” ends the record on a very odd, yet somewhat fitting note, paying tribute to the soulful doo-wop of Fred Parris and The Satin’s 1956 classic, “In the Still of the Night”. In its interpolation, “Sleep Cult” ends up feeling elegant and timeless, channelling the rhythmic charm of the ’50s into an incredible post-hardcore tinged rock ballad. Somehow, L.S. DUNES manages to pull off this convergence of influences, restraining their respective performances into a smooth blend of authentic rhythm. It lacks the pummelling percussion, technical leads, and ardent delivery so prevalent across Past Lives, and yet stands as one of the most interesting and genre-nebulous cuts in the members’ discographies, somehow entrancing despite the lack of aggression and energy that has quickly become synonymous with L.S. DUNES from the singles.
Despite being a nominal side project, it is clear that the band members are in no way settling for a singular identity in this project; though some of the record does tend to blend together, there are enough subtle divergences and experimentation which suggest future records could be something particularly special. My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, Thursday, Saosin, Circa Survive – these are all esteemed names in the post-hardcore scene of the past two decades and, with Past Lives, L.S. DUNES stands alongside them. Whilst it might not be the classic found at the highest echelons of those discographies, Past Lives pools together the respective influences, talents, and experiences into a ridiculously groovy and polished debut record – one which feels like only the beginning. As far as supergroups go, there is no sense of friction or ego here, but merely the product of five extraordinarily talented musicians who care about their craft.
Past Lives will be available this Friday, November 11th, via Fantasy Records, and you can pre-order it here.
8/10