Brighton based atmospheric rock five-piece Polar Son were previously known as Porshyne and have a new album `Wax / Wane` due out this month which marks a new chapter for the band who recently announced their return alongside details of their name change.
The album opens with `Youth` which singer and guitarist Fergal Lyden says is , “about the mental gymnastics people play to rationalise the unhealthy behaviours they know they need to move away from.” A track that sways from atmospheric dreaminess to a more powerful almost aggressive confrontation which put me in mind of Radiohead at their experimental best. A pulsating electronic beat leads us into the infectious `Gangrene` before the track becomes more reflective and thoughtful, while at the same time gaining a formidable musical soundscape with trashing drumbeats and complex guitar riffs with a sax adding it`s commanding tones towards the end.
`Listen` as the title suggest does need you to pay attention to its drum machine beats, and synth fragments that weave in and out with a meditative vocal drifted atop. The underlying rhythm sounds like a ticking clock at times which gives it an illusion of time running out. There`s a much more straight out rock texture about `Supply` which feels quite pensive and contemplative as it evolves.
`Wax` is a delightfully dense and energetic offering that races along and becomes pretty mesmerising but kind of manages to keep itself from exploding or shattering. I thought that `Interlude` was utterly absorbing and became fairly hypnotic as it guided us along it`s ruminative journey. Fergal`s vocals had an enticing inflection and along with harmonies towards the end became almost spiritual.
`Ends Up The Same` is another engaging submission that draws you into it`s depths. It may refer to or be a metaphor for a place where one is encouraged to go but are hesitant to, but ultimately end up there anyway. The latter section picks up pace and melodious volume as the number concludes. The album closes on `Wane` which opens with a string arrangement before veering into a fairly intricate voyage of discovery. The overall mood of the track, I felt, appeared to be that of continuing to seek or search for something.
`Wax / Wane` was a contemplative, absorbing and totally engaging auditory experience which I found both intriguing and atmospheric. The title suggests something that undergoes alternate increases and decreases which is what this release musically does. Fergal Lyden has a really captivating vocal range which his band mates Harvey Fenny (guitar), Harry Baker (guitar), Beau Barnard (bass) and Chris Hardwick (drums) exploit and utilise to the maximum effect.
While `Wax/ Wax` would fall under the progressive rock genre there so much more about it which will become apparent the more you listen to it.
Rating 8.5 /10
