“The echo is still so loud.”
It’s been quite the journey for FOXCULT since the late 2023 release of their debut EP THE INDIGO FAULT. In the time since, they’ve performed their own run of headlining shows (A WATERCOLORS EXPERIENCE) as well as completed a recent supporting gig for Outline In Color alongside nightlife. Not ones to rest on their laurels however, the Seattle stargazers now prepare for the imminent release of their sophomore EP, THE AMETHYST DRIFT.
THE INDIGO FAULT and its promotional materials established a sci-fi narrative built around its narrator, Eden, and her journey to the planet Neptune where she finds a relic in the depths of the titular INDIGO FAULT. With the release of THE AMETHYST DRIFT, the lore of the WATERCOLORS universe is even further expanded. A series of video logs, transmissions, and documents from various characters and points in the story create an immersive experience, bringing the universe to life and creating an additional level of engagement for those wanting to throw themselves headfirst into the storytelling aspect of it all. I won’t delve too deep into breaking down the narrative of THE AMETHYST DRIFT here—I fully believe that diving into the various lore items on their Instagram and YouTube is an endeavor worth your time and I would encourage you to do so for the full WATERCOLORS experience.
Eden’s story picks up with “HOLDING PATTERNS,” whose pulsing synth opening feels like a natural continuation of where THE INDIGO FAULT left off with “SYMMETRY.” At this point, Eden has been missing for an extended period of time after stealing a ship from the Planetary Survey Network, a seemingly militaristic “deep space research coalition” with whom a number of characters within the story are affiliated. Upon discovering and interacting with an ancient relic found within the FAULT, Neptune is overcome by sudden firestorms sweeping across its surface, leaving the icy planet decimated in the wake of Eden’s rescue. “HOLDING PATTERNS” progresses in a steady build, working its way up to a lush instrumental bridge. The lead guitar cutting its way through the bridge’s layered soundscape is tastefully moody, fitting for a dramatic rescue amidst a planet’s collapse.
”When I was down there, there was a sanctuary, and a sheet of ice stood rIght in the center. Perfect, like glass, and when I looked into it, there wasn’t a reflection. It was just black. And when I touched it, I was consumed by this shroud of darkness. All I could see… it was all darkness, except these streams of color, almost like they were trying to show me something. No, no—were they leading me somewhere?”
—Eden
While both “HOLDING PATTERNS” and “ASTRAL GALLERY” center around Eden’s time in the FAULT and Neptune’s destruction, the tracks also serve as points of introduction for her savior, 0072—otherwise known as Sev—the artificially intelligent droid aboard Eden’s stolen ship, the Texas, who is left waiting for her as she explores the planet’s surface. Outside of the story’s focus on Eden and her explorations, a recurring theme found throughout the rest of the narrative is her coming to terms with the repercussions of her actions. A feature from Outline In Color’s Michael Skaggs on “ASTRAL GALLERY” from Sev’s point of view—”how am I just to wait? My mind moves faster than this vessel”—offers a peek at things from a different perspective and paves the way for a smooth transition into the EP’s halfway point. The addition of Skaggs’ heavier vocals offers a nice counterbalance to the more melodic vocals on display in the EP’s opening tracks.
“WORMHOLE” serves as an effective transitional point, with massive vocals “towering over” the track’s brighter instrumental backdrop to propel THE AMETHYST DRIFT into its latter half. The lyricism reflects on the journey thus far, from Eden’s time basking in watercolors within the FAULT to the characters’ journey through the anomaly they’ve sent themselves through as they make their way back home. “WORMHOLE” feels almost meandering in its flight through THE AMETHYST DRIFT, but the subsequent “NGC 3603” brings a more driven sense of urgency to the EP’s closing stretch with touches of grittier vocals and distressed guitars. Final track “GEMINI 4” sees a feature from Tom Weaver to round out THE AMETHYST DRIFT’s final moments in mesmerizing fashion, with the Casey frontman and FOXCULT’s Audrey Lane’s vocals playing entwining together in the track’s melodic free-fall.
A successful continuation of the universe established by their debut EP, THE AMETHYST DRIFT is a testament to FOXCULT’s ability to craft a compelling narrative and package it in a neat musical package. From the preliminary groundwork laid out by THE INDIGO FAULT, to the entire world that’s been meticulously revealed piece by piece through THE AMETHYST DRIFT’s rollout, there are many questions surrounding the WATERCOLORS universe and its multiple characters and factions that have yet to be answered. However many of those questions will be resolved by the end of this release week remains to be seen, but I eagerly look forward to whatever FOXCULT has in store for us next.
8.5/10
THE AMETHYST DRIFT is set to release this Friday July 19th via Adventure Cat Records. Pre-orders for the WATERCOLORS: 0 LP and other FOXCULT merch can be found here.