“Light me up, let me go.”
Leeds-based post-hardcore quintet Caskets have become something of a household name in recent years following their complete rebranding and revival from their former title – Captives – and the release of their debut album Lost Souls in 2021, which catapulted Caskets’ popularity up to the higher echelons of alternative music. Standing upon the precipice of potentially becoming the next Bring Me The Horizon with their sophomore album, Caskets were presented with two options; to create what would essentially be Lost Souls 2, or to take the opportunity of crafting something else, something truly anew and alive. Reflections is now upon us, so let’s find out.
Opening track and most-recently-released single “Believe” is an electrically-charged introductory anthem, serving as an ample reintroduction of Caskets’ core, unchanged sound: accessible yet engaging lyrics, predictable yet undeniably strong, soaring singalong passages, and simplistic structural choices in the songwriting that just work. The creative intent here is not that of overwhelming technicality, but sheer entertainment, driven primarily by frontman Matt Flood.
“Believe” is endlessly catchy, with poppy verses lamenting love lost and a colossal chorus that musically does wonders, whilst lacking the substance to truly stick the landing: “But I’ve got time / There’s something inside of me and I still believe / I’ll find / There’s nothing that I could be to make you believe / I’ve tried.”
Second stab “More Than Misery” is an eclectic jumble of stylistic deviations, leaning more into electronics than the entirety of Lost Souls did which is certainly commendable, lending the track a more modern flavour with parallels to The Plot In You and Outline In Color. The Word Alive’s very own Telle Smith makes the rounds on this one, featuring on the track’s second and third verses: “When I feel like I’m nothing / Feel my heart breaking / And I see the darkness creeping in / I know that you’re watching / Know that you’re praying / That this pain will never end.” The (subjective) issue with “More Than Misery” is unfortunately applicable across much of Reflections: musically, it is 100% serviceable, it just does remarkably little to provoke or alter any emotions.
Mid-album cuts “By The Sound” and “Six Feet Deep” hybridise the more uptempo offerings by Holding Absence, with atmospheric synths and dynamics reflecting amo-era Bring Me The Horizon. The former track is destined to be in constant rotation for alternative club nights in the UK, standing as the most uplifting, hopeful and energetic track Reflections has to offer, whilst “Six Feet Deep” is a considerably more crushing affair with frenzied guitar riffs by Benjamin Wilson and Craig Robinson.
Out of the tracks on the latter half of Reflections, “Guiding Light” is quite possibly the most noteworthy, with a Normandie-esque introduction delivered wonderfully by frontman Flood over distant lo-fi guitars: “So if I sold myself a lie / Would you be my guiding light?” Whether this is merely preferential on my part or a genuine production error remains to be seen, but the “drop” following this intro absolutely flops as the guitars lose noticeable volume within the mix at 0:13, thus reducing any impact this transition could have had otherwise. Besides this, “Guiding Light” is somewhat redeemed by some welcome elements in the way of slight rapped verses, an admittedly standout guitar solo, and an emotive piano-driven pre-chorus towards the ending.
Ultimately, Reflections is a well-rounded and inarguably, well-written alternative album, albeit one lacking those magical elements that elevate a good record to a truly great one. Reflections might be a swing and a miss for those seeking nuance, detail, memorable musical motifs and sadly, anything remotely resembling the most important aspect of all for a masterful record: risk. Everything here works well, but regrettably it’s all within safe, tried-and-tested, formulaic and sterile conditions. If you’re not terribly fussed about this sort of thing and you want some easy-listening bangers, Reflections will be infinitely more befitting of an addition to your musical library.
4.5/10
Reflections by Caskets will be released via SharpTone Records on 11th August. For all the latest alternative music reviews and more, stick with us at Boolin Tunes.