Album Review: Forever Still - Breathe In Colours

I have yet to be able to explain why certain voices, and certain records, stick with us, while others that are similar fade into our memories. There is something ethereal about great music, or at least music that speaks to us, that words cannot capture. A few years ago, I happened upon Forever Still, who were in the process of releasing the EPs that would become their debut album. For whatever reason, those songs, and Maja Shining's voice, spoke to me more than the myriad other modern rock bands I heard around the same time. And since then, I have continued to return to "Tied Down", enthralled by their dark sound, hooky songwriting, and yes, Maja's voice. Needless to say, as an early arrival to their music, I was excited to hear a new album was ready to meet the world.

Our first tastes of new music came from the singles, "Rewind" and "Breathe In Colors". Both of these tracks continued the Forever Still story, taking a slightly darker tone than they had previously, while Maja's vocals soar over the top. Her voice is glass-shattering (in the good way), full of power and pristine tone, and she's able to sing melodies where every note is so distinct you can almost see the sheet music floating in the air. That's a very rare quality, even among singers I love, so it's certainly worth noting how Maja's voice is a highlighter for the melodies.

The other notable aspect of their music is how it comes across sounding classier than most dark rock is capable of. So much of this music I listen to is ugly and dingy, still carrying the worst aspects of the 'grunge' label. Forever Still avoids all of that, with their music sounding powerful and resonant. The lyrics on this record are dystopian, but for once the landscape is not a world that hasn't seen soap since the fall of civilization. The lights may be dimmed, but the mirrors we hold up still shine.

I admire how the songs aren't committed to the rock formula. Maja throws in a few screams in "Fight!", and almost growls on the title track, little details that are used to heighten the tension, and to balance the beauty she brings to the choruses. Even though the album's tone is dark, as is the subject matter, the sound is still beautiful. Forever Still aren't going to use the concept as an excuse to half-ass their songwriting. And let's be honest, there are plenty of conceptual albums out there that bands didn't put their all into, because they didn't think songs were as necessary when there was something 'bigger' in play. Forever Still don't make that mistake.

If you've heard "Tied Down", you know what to expect from this record. The new wrinkles are subtle, adding to Forever Still's core sound, rather than changing it wholesale. That's a good thing, because they incubated that debut long enough that it came out fully-developed. They know who they are, and what they're good at, so they can already tell us exactly who Forever Still is. A lot of young bands spent several records trying to come up with their identity, and some never do.

The only complain I can muster is the same one I had regarding "Tied Down"; these ten songs clock in at roughly thirty-five minutes, and they pass by so easily it leaves me wanting to hear more. That sure beats the alternative, doesn't it? Forever Still throws everything into this record, from heavy breakdowns to gorgeous emotional passages. They are a well-rounded band that is making records that are able to spread wings from their core sound. They are songwriters better than their experience would imply, and they have mastered the art of modern rock. "Breathe In Colours" is everything I was hoping for; a contender to be among the best records of the year. I can now sigh a rainbow of relief, knowing Forever Still is the real deal, and will continue to be.