Released: 31st July 2020
Published by: So Far So Good
One of the more underrated bands to come out of Ireland, The Coronas have made their mark in the indie rock scene thanks to their unique direction and gradual shift into more extravagant tones.
The Coronas made their debut with Heroes or Ghosts in 2007 and have maintained a steady output ever since, typically releasing a new album every three years. True Love Waits is their sixth album and from an aesthetic standpoint, it’s the most vibrant and colourful. The blue, orange and white hues make for a very eye-catching display. It’s an album of close attachment, speaking to the bonds we share with those close to us, while also delving into the idea of self-improvement. Daniel O’Reilly’s strong voice continues to be a guiding force for the tracks and the band has certainly become more experimental since their initially tentative steps into the more well-known components of rock. The track set begins delicately with the swaying title track, speaking to the tentative relationships that start small and from here, every other entry generates its own individual feel.
The heavy use of guitars has slowly peeled away in favour of more balanced compositions. Trust the Wire was more solemn and contemplative by comparison True Love Waits feels more serene, almost spiritual to an extent. Arguably the defining entry in the set is “Haunted”, with its melodic use of both the guitar and piano evoking the feel of winter weather exquisitely. Equally impressive is “Lost in the Thick of It” featuring Gabrielle Aplin; an excellent collaboration which sees the two singer’s smooth voices effortlessly blend together. On top of this, the track also makes use of some backing vocals. Combining this with the inclusion of other external instruments like trumpets, this gives the song its own unique feel in the album.
Many of the songs have a build-up attached to them, often rising into powerful climaxes that bring the fellow band member talents to bear. Through both slow builds and dramatic finishes, there’s a superb level of variety on the track that doesn’t stray too far from what makes The Coronas so engaging. “Brave” is a key example, lifting and lowering its tone to create a highly varied rhythm. With the energised beats of “Light Me Up” and “Find the Water” balancing out the slower pieces, the twelve-track list is rounded off by “LA at Night”, an effective mellow track that concludes the album like a heartfelt goodbye between family and friends.
The Coronas latest is an incredibly absorbing and rousing collection of tracks. With True Love Waits, they’re able to take a step into something more mainstream, while maintaining their sweeping vocals and powerful backing compositions. I doubt the unfortunate name timing will keep a wider audience from massively enjoying their sublime effort.
Rating: A
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