ALBUM REVIEW: The Silk War’s ‘Come Evening’ Is a Unique Masterpiece
ALBUM REVIEW: The Silk War’s ‘Come Evening’ Is a Unique Masterpiece
Words By: Lilja Cormack
Post-wave group The Silk War release their debut studio album Come Evening. Alexandra Blair, James Mullen, Angelo Miliano, Josh O’Guinn, and Andrew Mega fuse together influences from nocturnal alternative, gothic electro, and punk energy on an elegantly produced project just in time for the summer. These eleven tracks are packed with meaning tracks that touch upon a range of deep topics from anti-bullying and self-worth to gun control and empowerment and so much more. The album features their two newest singles “Blue Hour” and “Barcelona” and many more.
“Little Souls” opens Come Evening with a haunting intro, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the beautiful — often eerie — album. Alexandra’s echoing vocals are otherworldly in the first minute. Housing the theme of sweeping egotistical, insignificant people under the rug — this single becomes the first of a many that preach self-care, especially when it comes to your mental health.
In “Sylvia” The Silk War beautifully expresses the feeling of being misunderstood. Over a folky, acoustic track, Alexandra pleads to Sylvia Plath asking for help in the face of alienation. The anti-bullying anthem, “Velvet” conquers that feeling of otherness with a powerful reminder. This somber track is an emotional, yet powerful tribute to anyone that may have felt like an outcast at some point throughout their lives. When Alexandra sings about time being able to turn ‘them’ all away, she taps into a common experience. You realize as you grow older that what makes you different is what makes you extraordinary. While it may suck in the moment, judgmental people are not permanent features in your life which is exactly what the band reminds us of.
“Barcelona” is one of the newest singles from The Silk War. Throughout the track, the piano and drums work together to create a really captivating beat. “Barcelona” tells the tale of dating someone who lives in the past, highlighting how hard it can be to picture a future with them. It centers around a love interest meeting someone in Barcelona and is packed with the perfect amount of petty cleverness. On thing is for certain though, the creator of this track definitely deserves better!
Further down on the record, “Lark Mirror” breaks through as a very chill acoustic song, while still holding that special flare that The Silk War have created. On top of a simple guitar and drum line, violin and vocal harmonies elevate this enchanting song. It’s simple yet gorgeous, which leaves plenty of room for Alexandra to show off her beautiful voice. “Agora Phobia,” begins the records conclusion, has a catchy chorus that is fun yet sort of eerie at the same time. We certainly get a glimpse of that nocturnal influence in this song.
“Blue Hour” — another previously released single — is named for the twilight period between night and day. Tell the tale of staying up all night on a bender either solo or with others and being up to no good. Alexandra serves early Stevie Nicks vibes in this song and we are beyond here for it! In “Second Age” we also get a taste of the retro feel but in a different way. This song feels like it could be in a James Bond movie, with its start housing a 60’s groove with contemporary melodies and rhythms. Halfway through the song, however, the ambience shifts. With extremely dreamy synth and alluring harmonies, the atmosphere turns absolutely fanciful. This is definitely the coolest part of the song.
On “Slender Slander” the band jumps ahead a few years with a contemporary dance track featuring retro 80’s synth. The song is very fun but is actually written about an incredibly serious topic. The band wrote this song in response to the tragic Parkland School Shooting. It sends a powerful message about gun violence in the same way that “Pumped Up Kicks” did years ago.
The two love songs of the album showcase the bands amazing writing abilities. First is “New York (You’re My Religion),” the eighth track on the album. As a tribute to their origins, the New York band personifies the city with powerful imagery. Although usually love songs are not about cities, they equate the city to a religious experience. One of the more unique moments in this single is when Alexandra sings of the “downtown communion” over a groovy guitar tremolo. This song is cool and really fun way to interpret the relationship you have with your hometown or city.
As the album begins its finale notes, it graces listeners with a more conventional love song. “My Familiar” starts with a grungy guitar line which, paired with Alexandra’s effortless vocals and harmonies makes for a really beautiful yet unique track. Despite being the longest track on the record at just over eight and half minutes, it never leaves you bored. The bridge of the song draws you right back in with a new techno overlay on top of the darker guitar line. This is easily one of the best moments of the song.
This project has variety and a great sound. It is almost hard to believe that this is the band’s debut album. They have already developed a seasoned sound and we are sure that they will continue to amaze us in the future.
