“Let infinity speak to me.“
Brisbane quartet Revoid return with Evergrey, the follow-up to 2022’s Sleepless Still. Mixed by Keywork Audio, with mastering from the returning Kris Crummett, the production – everything from the vocals to the veritable matrix of synths – is unsurprisingly excellent. 2023 singles “Blood Petals” and “Burn With Me” are noticeably absent, which I was initially disappointed about, but the record is noticeably stronger and more cohesive for it. It shows the creative vision and artistic integrity the outfit have to leave out rather contemporary tracks, with considerable draw, in favour of the overall experience.
Debut single and opener “Everything” is, for the first half, one of the more subdued and understated tracks on the record, build from a steady drum beat and ambient notes to the group’s patented formula. It’s the track which most resembles Sleepless Still, and as such is one of the more anthemic and simpler cuts (though the performances ensure it is still a worthwhile listen).
Bouncy and intense, “Visionary” is a marked step up in intensity. The synths are poppy and flashy, almost dance-inducing; the guitars are dynamic and lively; and the uncleans from vocalist Dale Dudeson are direct, compelling, and enunciated flawlessly. Despite the aggressive overtone, it’s one of the group’s most confident and feel-good performances.
Opening with one of the year’s most out-of-pocket lines in “It was the night I tried to kill myself,” “Let You In” sees the group tackle a more melodic direction, letting the entrancing vocal performance really shine. The hook is perhaps the strongest on the record, and rightly so; Dale‘s singing is superb, and the space allows for the delivery of intimate lines like “If I let you in, will your gravity bring me back, or bury me?” to inspire a comforting sort of tormented kinship. Keys during the later iteration of the chorus, succeeded by jazzy synths, lend the song some further texture, topping off a strangely upbeat cut (sonically).
In spite of its name, the group’s shortest track to date, “Euphoria“, is pure vitriol. The meticulous synth-laden aesthetic is abandoned (mostly) for full-frontal face-smashing metalcore, absent of clean vocals for the first time in the group’s discography. Haunting synths underpinning the breakdown round out a menacing new look for Revoid. Short and sweet, and leaning fully into the heavier end of the group’s palette, it’s a sound I hope to hear more of down the line.
“Never Mind” is tailor-made to be a single, complete with the relatable lyrics, intoxicating hook, and rhythmic R&B-tinged delivery of the singing. The layered vocals and aggressive synthwork combine for a slightly digital quality juxtaposing the guitars, and the echoing affectation of the cleans in the final third swirls in the ears, transporting the listener to another plane. Of the two singles, it’s by far my favourite, and is a perfect entry point for anyone looking to get into the band.
The electronic soundscape continues with the grand closer, “Fray“. Electronic drum beats give way to hypnotic effected clean vocals, airy leads, and a dissonant breakdown which has an interesting ‘measured’ quality to it compared to the group’s normal crescendos. There’s a certain grittiness and unique cadence to Dale‘s mids, particularly in the stretch from 0:46 to 1:00, which evoke Everything Was Sound-era Garrett Russell.
With greater dynamic range, as well as a wider sonic palette, Revoid‘s sophomore EP is an accomplished expansion upon their prior offerings. The group balance the heavy moments and the more accessible ones far more capably across the tracklist, leaving the lean, nineteen-minute project feeling like a mature distillation of the group’s sound and influences for which Sleepless Still was the prototype. There’s still a certain evident formula (though the non-singles show a notable evolution), but so much heart, soul, melody, and stellar production has been poured on top of it that I cannot help applaud the end result.
8.5/10
Everygrey is set for independent release this Friday, July 19th, and you can pre-save it here.