ALBUM REVIEW: Choose Euphoria – The Resonance Association

British dark ambient band THE RESONANCE ASSOCIATION are back with their eighth studio album Choose Euphoria. The duo themselves first formed back in 2006 over a shared love for artists like PINK FLOYD, NEU! and MOGWAI, and have since become known for their blend of genres ranging from alternative to goth to metal to even classical, creating music that not only feels calming, but also transports you to different worlds.

Opening with Force Marjeurie, the first thing the listener hears is a distorted, grungy guitar joined by a heavy bass, creating something that can be described as a rock ‘n’ roll meets punk meets grunge. To call it a pleasant rhythm would be underselling it; it has such a cool and calming vibe, further amplified using sound effects that give it a sci-fi ambience. This style continues in Invocation as the sci-fi sounds blend with electric guitar. When listening on, you find yourself transported into a montage of all the best science fiction shows and films, with a nostalgia for the multitude of theme songs and soundtracks that come into your mind. To top it all off, you’ll also appreciate the use of psychedelic noises, giving it that nice bonus that brings everything together.

The beauty of this album is that not only do you find yourself in a world of science fiction, where you’re sitting in a bar or jazz lounge as a band plays these songs in the ground, but there are also moments where everything is feels ethereal, otherworldly. The State Of Things is a beautiful example of this where a choir of voices is featured that genuinely gives a feeling like one is rising to the heavens. To add this to a track that is otherwise a combination of alternative rock meets drum and bass is ambitious, but it pays off massively.

It would be so tempting to list every single beautiful thing of each track, but honestly, it’s something that you need to hear for yourself and experience firsthand. As for other stand out moments, highlights would have to include No Fear Of Falling that starts out with a deep bass and drum beats that are then joined by a piano and synths that swell in volume, once again creating a sci-fi/psychedelic ambience, and recent single Some Kind, which is predominately alternative rock and uses distorted sound effects, excerpts from broadcasts, and a male choir that, once again, leaves you feeling like you’re rising to the heavens.

Choose Euphoria is a stunning noise project that takes you into different timeframes and worlds yet calms you at the same time, which really is an incredible feat.

Rating: 8/10

Choose Euphoria is out now via self-release.

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