ALBUM REVIEW: Witness – VOLA

Having already made themselves a prominent name over the past five years, VOLA have always had a penchant for dramatic scope and scale in their music. With their third album Witness, the focus of their experimental progressive sound is on the disintegration and dissent of relationships, in all their forms.

Straight lines has the big energy that an opening song needs. It’s got groove and a drive through the verses that pulls you in, it’s relentless riff circling around you. The side step in pace and style through the chorus never feels forced but adds a dynamic shift that feels natural while totally unexpected. The more magical, synth breakdown is a beautiful detail in the landscape of the song and ticks all the boxes for everything fans have come to expect of VOLA.

Head Mounted Sideways draws on Inmazes-era heaviness, a punishing central rhythm showing they’ve still got the chops to produce the nasty stuff. Detached vocoder vocals and sweeping screams add a lot of drama, that’s broken into an almost warm chorus that shelters you from the harshness of the dangerous sounds at either end of the song. The breaks from the oppressive to the gentle are like the compression and release of being crushed, it’s a sonic experience that has as an almost tangible quality.

Third track 24 Light-Years is a totally different beast than anything else on this record. Predominantly guided by hugely expressive beats, the drums act as a flourish of energy and melody in themselves. That’s not to say that all other elements from vocals and guitar to synth and bass all create a sense of cosmic adventure. This is a song that feels full of hope, but also yearning and searching. It’s a world away from the previous two songs, but the creativity and melodic control is just as top class, the world building within the lyrics really creating a sculpture within the hooks of the song. The biggest change of influence for VOLA on this record is These Black Claws (feat. SHAHMEN). The distinctly VOLA sound is there, the rage is solidly embedded, and the poignant message is still incredibly vivid, but the hip hop beat and style is totally new. It might not be for all, but if you’re into VOLA’s experimental ideas, you’ll enjoy feature artist SHAHMEN and his equally compelling performance. Plus, it’s got a kickass lick that can’t fail to connect.

Freak feels like it will appeal to anyone who loved Applause of a Distant Crowd quite easily. It’s trippy delay and swaying melody are on the surface bright and pleasant. However, the positivity of the sound is pretty contrasting to the Sinicism of the vocals. It’s a technique that VOLA have mastered over the years, yet it’s the classic rock solo that leads us out that feels like the biggest new addition to their sound.

Getting back in to synth heavy sounds and metal grooves, Napalm is more chantable, head bopping goodness. The way that VOLA manages to get such big beats, all-encompassing guitar and synth parts and hugely emotive vocals to really connect is really excellent, and this is no exception. Equally, Future Bird balances it’s layered verse parts with massive, swelling choruses. Its powerful story is subtly told, matching with the complex arrangement of ambient synth, stabbing drums and big chord movements. The rise and fall of everything, where things never let up, even in the instrumental sections, really grasp at the heart strings. Asger’s ability to transport you into a mindset and a character that is nothing like you and give you total empathy through his song writing is second to none.

Never ones to repeat themselves, Stone Leader Falling Down is as fresh sounding and intriguing as any other VOLA tune. As the opening snakes towards you, the odd timing and infectious movement have an industrial tone and menace while the swaggering, smooth vocals point the finger and mock the subject matter of bloated egos and manipulative, power hungry fools. It’s one of the more symphonic sounding tunes they’ve ever done, with enough tantalising breakdowns to sustain those who like a heavier bite.

Closing number Inside Your Fur is oddly disquieting, it’s churning heart burning for a nostalgia that isn’t healthy, and the metaphor it’s told in is such an interesting story. As usual, the melody is oh so easy to sing along to, and the imagery it plays with under its many layers of sonic complexity all fit together like a dream. Everything warps together to tail off into a serene oblivion that makes you want to go back and unpack the whole record again.

VOLA have a real knack for reeling you in with the rich and imaginative playing, and making you stay for the colourful metaphors and allegories. A pocket universe of heavy, snarling progressive metal and bright, synth melodies, Witness also has plenty of rewarding surprises. Everything is pulled together with a masterful sense of craftmanship, and this record possibly more than any other in their catalogue exemplifies that there is no boundary to where VOLA might take things.

Rating: 9/10

Witness is set for release on May 21st via Mascot Records. 

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