Failure – The Heart Is a Monster

The fourth Failure album that seemed a pipe dream for so long calls in at the same spaceport the LA trio left us marooned on when they split with 1996’s Fantastic Planet, finding a familiar thematic frequency in Segue 4’s digital static. Where others might struggle to emulate old glory, The Heart Is a Monster marks a more graceful transition, leaving the listener in awe of their exceptional combined songwriting chops rather than simply relieved that they can still write the odd riff.

And they are odd – a potent stew of dissonant chords and affecting harmonies that seep in as if by stealth. Ken Andrews’ time behind the mixing console (for anyone from Beck to Paramore) has sharpened his ear for clarity while leaving the calming timbre of his voice pristinely preserved. Well practised too is multi-instrumentalist Greg Edwards and his deft rhythm section with Kellii Scott, benefiting from their respective time with art-rock anomalies Autolux and as a powerhouse session drummer for hire.

From Snow Angel’s careful metamorphosis into all-conquering rocker through I Can See Houses' ghostly refrains, misdirection is what Failure do best on this sci-fi inflected epic. Clocking in at 63 minutes, it’s a refreshingly bold and focused reprisal of the longform album format as a continuous narrative, masterfully treading that fine line between ambient atmosphere and proggy excess. Real masters of light and shade.