ALBUM REVIEW: Under The Midnight Sun – The Cult
THE CULT are going back to their roots with new album Under The Midnight Sun. Originally from Bradford, the hard-rock band are known for their psychedelic instrumentals and powerful vocals from singer Ian Astbury. Under The Midnight Sun is their first album since 2016, and though throughout the span of their career it doesn’t seem like very long, six years is a big gap in their discography and their dedicated fans are hungry for the next release. While their first couple of albums were categorised more as post-punk or goth rock, THE CULT turned quickly into a rock band, and their sound changed pretty dramatically. The band are fast approaching 40 years together, and in the spirit of keeping their music exciting they are going back to their roots for their 11th studio album. Recorded in the same studio as debut Dreamtime, Under The Midnight Sun has the power to be another fan-favourite.
The album opens with Mirror and we are immediately hit with that psychedelic guitar THE CULT are known for, alongside some mysterious whispering. It’s clear straight away this track fits more into the goth genre, and Astbury’s voice adapts to this with lower tones and drawn out vocals. They build-up as the tempo increases, and get progressively more powerful. The lyrics reflect the dreamlike state of the instruments, and the reverb encourages this. The guitars are a highlight on this track, creating an ambience that is balanced out with the steady drums. While the song isn’t immediately memorable, it does make an impact and proves THE CULT are sounding a lot more like they originally did. Next is A Cut Inside, which is definitely a high point of the album. It’s a good mixture of the ambience of a goth song and the vocals of a rock song and it really showcases Astbury’s range. The guitar solos perfectly break up the track, giving listeners time to just enjoy it.
Guitarist Billy Duffy has a unique sound that fans of the band love. This album is no exception, but it especially stands out in Give Me Mercy, the first single. The guitar riff is upbeat and hopeful, and a stark contrast to the lyrics, which are thoughtful and yearning. They also stand out on Outer Heaven, and Duffy has mastered a signature sound of both rock and more ambient gothic guitars. The drums are also a key element, and while they are simplistic on tracks like Vendetta X, they are crucial to drive the song through. As is expected with THE CULT, the lyrics are fundamental in their sound. On songs like Knife Through Butterfly Heart and the title track, Under The Midnight Sun, they tell a story, using imagery to draw listeners in. They are a good balance of heart-breaking and hopeful, and they’re just as thoughtful as they are dark.
Just because THE CULT have gone more down the gothic genre for this album, that isn’t to say that there isn’t something for everybody. There are only eight songs in total, a quality over quantity approach, and this was definitely the right choice as it limits the risk of repetition. The band seem to have mastered the blending of genres, and their almost 40 years together seems to have paid off. It’s difficult for music to still be fresh and interesting after 11 albums, but Under The Midnight Sun has managed it fairly well.
Rating: 8/10
Under The Midnight Sun is set for release on October 7th via Black Hill Records.
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