Don’t Belong is the first track on Stellarscope’s Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost, a dense and bushy track that takes up a number of styles, sounds, and genres in the creation of a wholly unique sound. There are nods to mid-1980s The Cure, OK Computer-era Radiohead, and even acts like Muse. Falling is a dark, electronic-infused track that will work equally well in the Sisters of Mercy / Bauhaus-era of goth music just as it would with acts like Franz Ferdinand and The Bravery.
Only Strangers Now is our favorite track on Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost. There is a forward and insistent sound that will appease fans of 45 Grave and The Cramps. The instrumentation here works perfectly; there is nary a wasted second as Stellarscope hurtles to the end of this single.
All For You is a slower and more haunting, contemplative sound. Both the instrumental and vocal sides of things strive for dominance, making for a cut that will stick with listeners long after Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost ceases to play. You Feel It Too shatters the conception that the later registers of an album are weaker; the heady sound of the track adopts hints of Britpop and even a bit of the 1982 UK branch of punk music.
This Is How It Ends is the final track on Stellarscope’s latest, and it showcases a bit of everything that had been placed on the album while showcasing possible avenues for the band to built upon for their next album. Distinctive from beginning to end, Stellarscope’s “Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost” is out now on Patetico Recordings.
Top Tracks: Only Strangers Now, This Is How It Ends
Rating: 8.6/10
Stellarscope – “Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost” / 2017 Self Released / 10 Tracks / Patetico Recordings / https://www.facebook.com/Stellarscope-42638364841/ / http://stellarscopeband.com/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
Contact: editor@neufutur.com