ALBUM REVIEW: Eupnea – Pure Reason Revolution

The loose definition of ‘eupnea’ is ‘breathing.’ The aptly titled fourth studio full-length by British progressive rock act PURE REASON REVOLUTION, Eupnea sees the founding members Chloe Alper and Jon Courtney in a period of rediscovery.

Following the release of single Valour in 2011, the group went on an indefinite hiatus. After their reunion for 2019’s Midsummer Prog Festival in The Netherlands, Courtney and Alper have re-established creative chemistry resulting in the release of the band’s most vivid release to date. The preceding releases have in a way resembled courses of contemporary acts, largely basing their sound on more electronic and alternative music styles. This has made for more routine outcomes, but now with Eupnea, PURE REASON REVOLUTION seem to go for a way more organic approach than ever, resulting in a release that is firmly rooted in progressive rock.

This is certainly showed on the album’s most aspiring numbers such Silent Genesis, Ghosts & Typhoons, and the closing self-titled track, a number that clocks over 13 minutes. Right off the bat, New Obsession shows the solidifying chemistry between Courtney and Alper, hinting how dynamic the six-track album is. The mentioned Silent Genesis manages to create quite a captivating atmosphere in its 10 minutes, going from moderate bass notes over spasmodic drum motives to catchy, mid-tempo verses, where the guitars kick in.

Even though Maelestrom is closer to poppier excursions PURE REASON REVOLUTION stand out for, the hectic drum work and dynamic progressions make things more fascinating than usual. Moreover, Ghosts & Typhoons starts minimalistic over a simple melody, where in the second half PURE REASON REVOLUTION chose to check out heavier grooves additionally, making it all very exciting. Beyond Our Bodies uses piano and guitar touches to create almost a haunting vibe accompanied by soothing voices of Jon and Chloe.

Finally, the closing title track puts an alluring end to Eupnea with its melancholic environment, until a harder part joins later on. Varied and diverse instrumental work is thoroughly present throughout the song’s playtime, what certainly implies to the record as a full entity. With subtle guitar lines over the quiet verses and both Jon and Chloe’s pleading vocals floating over the striking rhythms and riffs, PURE REASON REVOLUTION continue shifting into heavier area while keeping their trademark emotive atmosphere. Breathtakingly, most of the songs follow this method, often jumping from elegance to whirlwind energy with no alert.

Eupnea is PURE REASON REVOLUTION’s statement in a way that they don’t care about classifications or expectations, that they just want to create the best music they can. For that, Eupnea is a relevant statement for where the duo is at the start of the new decade.

Rating: 9/10

Eupnea is out on April 3rd via InsideOut Music.

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