After a decade of establishing a reputation for their emotive, heart-stirring sound, Dublin-based duo Long Island Sound celebrates a significant milestone with their debut album, Hydra, released on Seb Wildblood's All My Thoughts. This album captures their distinct emotional breadth and features thoughtful nods to the Greek mythological roots behind the title. It showcases sophisticated sound design and explores esoteric themes from start to finish.
Hydra opens with metallic, slicing arpeggios that set a powerful tone. Rob Roche and Tim Nolan, the duo behind Long Island Sound, establish their unity as composers through this potent opener. The following track, Anchor, deepens the album's sonic and philosophical journey, drawing from the myth of the indomitable Hydra. Its strength is mirrored in the steady, progressive drum pattern that anchors emotive melodies and brooding pads, creating a beautifully dynamic tension.
Full Effect, born from extensive experimentation with effect chains, begins with a beautifully panned, ping-ponging synth line. This breaks-driven track harnesses intricate processing, layering pads and subtle noise beneath a delicate melody. The atmosphere builds into Terra Nova, a lush, anthem-like piece rich with imagery of new terrain. Softly washed-out vocals enhance the arcane yet hopeful feel, creating an immersive experience that balances delicacy with depth.
In Adrenaline, a cinematic interlude, Roche and Nolan's careful sound design shines. Crafted to evoke the rush of the hormone itself, CMI-style synth vocals pulse with low, detuning flutters and analogue bass. Inspired by a visit to Warsaw, Adrenaline precedes Warsaw, a track that builds upon the album's cinematic arc, led by a brooding synth hook and tight, rattling percussion.
True to their talent for distinctive drum work, Searching pairs a blistering instrumental with an ethereal synth line. Beneath it, cascading pads support an emotional melody that builds to an intense vocal anticipation. This track reflects the vocalist's sentiment, leading to its title. As the album nears closure, Timelapse brings together Hydra’s vision with silky flanges and tight synth brass, gathering a rich array of vocals and detuned effects. Detuned Air then softly eases into the album's conclusion, with blissful pads and a thoughtful melody that mirrors unresolved reflections and hopeful glimmers.
Balancing emotional intensity with danceable energy, the vocal-led Mira concludes the album with a nod to its mythological roots. With a Detroit-inspired instrumental flair, Roche and Nolan’s dynamic drums evoke an expansive ocean, echoing the meaning of Mira. Through swift shifts from melancholy to euphoria, Hydra illustrates Long Island Sound’s inspiration drawn from everyday rhythms and sounds. Roche and Nolan illuminate familiar feelings in vivid hues, delving into introspective realms with fluid sound design and thought-provoking melodies. Crafted as a live show experience, Hydra reflects Long Island Sound’s evolution and their trajectory forward.
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