After flirting with orchestral and electronic sound which relied on Smith's internal content on their previous album In Dreams, Editors continue with experimentation. Although their sixth album Violence starts in pop manner, soon enough it transitions to its main theme which is electronic. It seems that Editors are determined to perpetuate the paradigm shift they initiated with The Weight Of Love.
Editors are known for changing the structure of their sound, but Violence brings more electronic violence. Drone based electronic sound emerged thanks to producer Benjamin. john Power, aka Blanck Mass. The influence is the most visible on Hallelujah (So Low) and title track, although it sporadically permeates each song on the record. On the other hand, album also offers easy pop pieces, such as Cold and Darkness At The Door (which strangely resembles Coldplay). Magazine is one of those electronic jams that will be on your repeat, but I wish there were more of those interesting upbeat moments. I mean, Editors gained their status thanks to the unconventional sonic solutions and powerful vocal.
This power is now connected to regurgitation and intermittent guitar solo, as it happens in Nothingness. Until the middle of the record, everything goes smoothly, yet you are left with the impression that something crucial is missing. New edition of No Sound But The Wind, a song that was part of Twilight soundtrack, gave the track a breath of fresh air, reminding us why we fell in love with Editors in the first place. This number is the only one standing out from the instrumental theme of the record, which is why it is positioned in the third part of the album, to break the monotony. Closing Belong is super relaxing, and it contains an intriguing synth segment that reinvigorates their dark, post-punk aura which reflects in verse Wilderness is in me, welcome home.
Even though many wanted for In Dreams to be the exception, Editors have decided to continue with the venture that is only their. They don't follow someone else's steps and the time will tell whether that is to their advantage.
