When their debut album The Black Room was released in 2005, it represented a true revolution of post-punk. Editors became a band everyone was taking about. Instant stardom. They deserved it. The Black Room is probably one of the most important indie rock albums in the past decade. The Editors have been working hard and have scored two platinum record. An End Has A Start brought darker sound, reminiscing Joy Division, New Order and Echo and the Bunnymen. With their third album, they have taken it one step further and experimented with electro, while their fourth album was kind of in a pop genre.
And here there are with their fifth, self-produced record – In Dream. The time they have spent in the studio has payed off. They also worked on their visual identity, which is notable in videos directed by Rahi Rezveni. Eclecticism, maturity, seriousness – three words describing In Dream, a proof that music can be both pop and experimental. It is a mosaic made of all the good things this band can offer. It is as almost as If previous albums have extracted and converged into the new entity. Their topos is present – from guitar riffs, to the darkness and electro pop.
In Dream has 10 long songs. No Harm is a first track and first single of the album. Tom Smith brought his A game vocally, using his falsetto without any mistakes. His voice is reaching highs on so many beautiful levels that this album is worthy giving a try just because of that.
Forgiveness and All The Kings are recalling An End Has A Start. Ocean of Night and Life Is Fear could easily be on their third album, while Our Love and Marching Orders belongs on their debut release. Since R.E.M.’s album Murmur is Tom Smith’s all time favorite, I could hear how he payed a tribute on Salvation and At All Cost.
Alternative rock is still their base. On the surface, you can hear a lot of different sounds merging into a holistic masterpiece, expect for the duet The Law with Rachel Goswell from Slowdive. It is the band’s first duet ever.
Marching Orders is an 8 minute stand out track that is closing the album and it is the cherry on top of everything Editors have ever done. They know their craft. They have kunst and they are not afraid to use it. Maybe this isn’t their absolute best but the concept of combining old with new elements, simple lyrics, perfect production and infallible vocal make it brilliant enough. For those who never listened to Editors, these could be a fitting intro. For fans, this is a continuation. Bravo!
