Review by Angela Croudace
Fantasy Records
31 January 2025
It’s uncommon to encounter a band made up of standout talents from other prominent groups, but L.S. Dunes defies expectations with their impressive lineup. Bringing together members from Thursday, My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, and Circa Survive, their new LP, Violet, is the latest remarkable brainchild of these incredible artists collaborating and creating music together.
Like Magick, a hauntingly beautiful track opens the album, setting the mood with Anthony Green’s chilling opening vocals. The song unfolds with a pensive, sombre, reflective, and deeply moving tone. Tim Payne’s deep, distorted bass provides a robust foundation, perfectly balanced by the soft yet powerful instrumentation. The guitars played by Frank Iero and Travis Stever add layers of texture that inject those glorious hints of emo revival that, try as they might, these guys can never entirely escape while the drums by Tucker Rule provide a steady, emotive heartbeat that harmoniously complements the vocals and instruments. As the song progresses, it builds up to a climax of wails and echoes, leaving listeners with a powerful emotional impact. It’s a track that will leave you feeling nostalgic for the emo days, and it’s one that’s easy to fall in love with, a perfect opener that I can’t stop listening to.
Fatal Deluxe kicks off with a heavier, yelling start that immediately sets a powerful tone, evoking the gritty vibes reminiscent of Sleeping with Sirens’ style. This track showcases Green’s vocal prowess, with an impressive display of his full range, from haunting melodies to intense screams. The eerie plucking of the guitar courtesy of Iero and Stever adds a chilling atmosphere that perfectly complements the depth of the lyrics, which are both thought-provoking and poignant. Payne’s deep bass grounds the track, while Rule’s drumming drives the rhythm forward with relentless energy. What’s particularly noteworthy about Fatal Deluxe is how it exemplifies the new direction of the band and the album as a whole. The song represents a bold evolution in their sound, blending hard rock with emotional vulnerability and showcasing their willingness to push boundaries. It’s a track that not only grabs your attention but also lingers in your mind long after it’s over, making it a standout piece on the album.
I Can See It Now opens with a deep, grinding distorted bass line by Payne, quickly followed by Rule’s attention-grabbing drum intro. Green’s beautiful high vocals soar over the track, punctuated by intense yelling that adds a raw, emotional edge. The distorted guitar work by Iero and Stever hits all the right notes, creating a cohesive sound. However, despite its technical precision, this track might not capture listeners in the same way as other tracks on the album. It’s a bit more subdued and can feel monotonous at times, but it remains an easy and enjoyable listen.
Violet, the title track, is a poignant journey through the emotions of betrayal and catharsis. As Green aptly puts it, “This song is about someone getting exactly what they deserve. It helped me get through the feeling of being ghosted.” The track begins with an instrumental intro that sets the stage for Green’s remarkable vocals. His voice ascends to impressive heights, pushing his vocal ability to incredible limits. The melody carries a lullaby-like quality and the lyrics delve deep, offering a juxtaposition that makes the song both soothing and emotionally stirring. The chorus stands out with its engaging and memorable composition, drawing listeners into its emotional core. Once we get to the bridge, we’re offered an unexpected twist that adds a refreshing layer to the song, cementing this portion of the song as a highlight of the track.
Machines kicks off with a catchy, low bass that immediately grabs your attention. The lyrics possess a remarkable depth, exploring themes of despair and hope, creating a delicate balance between the two. The song effortlessly switches gears, transitioning from an easy listen to an intense chorus where Green’s vocals escalate to passionate yelling. This dynamic shift adds a powerful emotional charge to the track. Iero and Stever’s guitars and Rule’s drums build an interesting backdrop that enhances the narrative of the lyrics. The song skillfully weaves together despair and the glimmer of hope, creating a standout track that is thought-provoking and musically engaging. The band premiered this track back in October, and it’s easy to see why this one resonates so strongly—it’s an impactful blend of introspection and intensity.
You Deserve To Be Haunted begins with an upbeat tempo and strong belting. Green’s melodic, haunting vocals add a chilling layer to the faster-paced, hard rock sound as the track progresses. The song seamlessly comes together at the halfway point, juxtaposing Green’s simply beautiful, higher notes and powerful screaming, creating a dynamic, engaging contrast. This is a track that has a great impact, and it’s hard not to get swept up in its intensity. Listening to this song brought back a feeling of cruising on a skateboard through city streets—not worried about falling off in a fantastic lack of style (even though falling off a skateboard is a guarantee for me as soon as my toe touches the board.)
Holograms brings a chill vibe with a much more mellow tone compared to other tracks on the album. A gradual, pleasant build up in the song enhances Green’s smooth vocals. The lyrics are well-crafted, and the guitar work by Iero and Stever truly shines, adding a captivating layer to the track. While it may be more laid-back, Holograms is a standout for its relaxing atmosphere and impressive instrumentation.
Paper Tigers demands attention right from the start. The guitar work by Iero and Stever is emotional, memorable, and reflective, creating a poignant atmosphere. Payne’s low, distorted chugging bass adds depth to the track. The rhythm, driven by Rule’s drumming, is both catchy and unforgettable. It’s a song that stands out with its emotional resonance and memorable rhythm, making it easy to fall in love with.
The LP wraps up with Things I Thought Would Last Forever and Forgiveness, which both satisfactorily close the album with more moments of Green’s dynamic vocals and emotionally charged instruments. We get a final punch of heaviness from Things I Thought Would Last Forever before we’re taken on a slower, more melodic closing in Forgiveness. The climax of the final track brings a raw energy that culminates and then abruptly ends, leaving listeners with a sense of closure and the feeling that the album has said everything it needed to. The abrupt end not only captures the essence of finality but also leaves us optimistic, their unique style—blending heart-wrenching lyrics with intricate instrumentals—continues to resonate, suggesting that there’s more to come from this band in the future.
The album’s title perfectly encapsulates its enchanting essence. Violet emerged from Iero’s subconscious during a burst of spontaneous creativity, as he casually mumbled draft lyrics. Originally intended as a placeholder, the title ultimately stuck, even though it never made its way into the final lyrics. “It just happened,“ Iero explains. Frank has also shared that he experiences chromaesthesia, a condition where sounds evoke the perception of colours. This leads me to wonder if this unique sensory experience might have influenced the “magic“ the band speaks of, especially in their decision to name the album after a colour.
The L.S. Dunes catalogue is like a journey through a tumultuous storm. The debut album, Past Lives, navigated through dark, thunderous clouds—each song a lightning bolt illuminating the raw, untamed experimentation of the band. It was a tempestuous catharsis for Green, who used this initial voyage as a means of therapy, embracing the chaos and seeking solace in the eye of the storm.
Violet, on the other hand, is the radiant dawn that breaks after the tempest. It brings with it a new hope, a glistening sunrise that still remembers the turbulent night with its profound lyrics and melancholically hopeful melodies. While the new album holds onto the memory of Past Lives, it casts a warm, violet glow, symbolising renewal and the promise of a brighter horizon. It’s as if the band has sailed through the tempest and emerged into a serene morning, carrying with them the memories of the storm they weathered.
