ALBUM REVIEW: The Great Truth – Half Shell

From the Northeast US we have HALF SHELL – an alternative trio who focus on the synth-based and electronic side of rock music. Having released their debut album Truly Tragic back in 2018, we now have their sophomore effort in The Great Truth, a record that sees them continue to focus on topics relating to existentialism, internal struggles and societal ills, but exploring them in a way that feels otherworldly.

Entering into the record it’s easy to imagine this as space musical based on the synths and ethereal style we hear throughout its duration. It’s stunning and dramatic. Suspension Of Disbelief starts out with a countdown before the bass and deep vocals come in, creating a track that’s not only theatrical but makes you want to get up and dance. And that’s the thing with this record, it has songs that fit perfectly within the alt-pop movement, we’re looking at you To Be The Bearer Of Bad News and Too Many Wrongs To Right, but then it also shifts into tracks that are more suited to the world of ballads and jazz clubs. No seriously, you can imagine some of these tracks being played in a jazz club within the Star Wars universe.

If that doesn’t impress you then the vocals will. Lead vocalist Nicole Hogan has such a beautiful voice; her deep vocals not only add an ethereal vibe to the songs but they also bring forth so much emotion to the point that you can feel it in your heart. Prometheus In Flesh and Clutching To… Clinging To are stand out tracks when it comes to her voice, and even if the band’s music isn’t something for you, these vocals are something that you need to hear in your lifetime.

It’s hard to compare this album to any other artists out there; the only example that comes to mind is MARINA if she went in more of a space-jazz type direction. Yet even that doesn’t do it justice, The Great Truth feels like it’s taking its listeners on a personal journey, and we’re gripped throughout. It’s just beautiful.

Rating: 7/10

The Great Truth is out now via self-release.

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