Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be an emotional ride to the other side. The Wilderness is the fifth album by one of my favorite post-rock bands Explosions In The Sky. I adored Take Care, Take Care, Take Care so this one is not necessarily better, but it is equally brave. The album lacks monumental moments like Last Known Surroundings that emerged from their last effort. Still, The Wilderness manages to show why Explosions in The Sky are one of the greatest post-rockers out there.
All of you who expect epic instrumental anthems from the album Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place should be ready for a different approach. It is a good thing. When the band uses iterations as their modus operandi, we start hating them. Title track is gradually introducing us to the album that culminates like Zimmerman’s soundtrack. You feel in your gut like something big is going to happen. Next track is The Ecstatics and it sounds the most like Explosions we are used to.
Songs Logic Of A Dream and Disintegration Anxiety were singles for a reason. They represent the album in the best way possible. The first one is the most powerful number, so massive and rich. The second one is a different animal. It is unpredictable and wild, playing funky guitars. Disintegration Anxiety is a platinum blonde wig on the most glamorous punk drag queen. Losing The Light attracts with its rawness. In my opinion, we are witnessing another masterpiece. Such a shame it is followed by Infinite Orbit, the only redundant track on the whole record.
Rationally, my favorite is Colors In Space in which the band demonstrates its knowledge and take you from organic, acoustic part to the echo guitars and cheerful jam session. The very finale of the song is a psychedelic treat.
The beauty of the melodies Explosions Of The Sky continue to offer compensate for the lack of lyrics. Once again, they are inviting us on an adventure where you can cry for missed opportunities or be happy because it is a beautiful day. Either way, you will be grateful.
