Anthemic swirls
In opposition to their moniker, Black Soul Strangers are not a soul band, in fact their guitar based indie-rock verges on post-rock at times with some epic washes of noise and fuzzy feedback. Opener 'Panic Sets Direction' is a swirling indie anthem; a solid tune and clean production make it sound slick and professional, but this doesn't take away the raw urgency behind the melody.
Bringing to mind bands like Coldplay, Black Soul Strangers possess that classic blend of catchy tunes and frenetic guitar based energy that many great British indie-rock bands have had before them, and gone on to great success with. This is a record and a band you can imagine attracting a huge audience. Tunes like 'The Haunting' have an emotional core, fantastic chiming guitar riffs and lovely harmonies, it gives you goosebumps and makes you want to dance at the same time. There aren't really any slow moments on the album, tracks to look out for are 'Leave' which starts slow and gentle and with a melancholy air but soon kicks off into a rocky, danceable tune; the cracking opener, 'Panic Sets Direction', the catchy, bouncy 'You Don't Need It' and the dreamy swirls of 'Tristia' amongst others.
Black Soul Strangers have a really big sound, it could easily fill stadiums, but retains an intimate edge which keeps you connected in a personal way to each track, this is a difficult thing to achieve but they seem to have it mailed on this record.