Some painful life lessons and changes have inspired Icarus Phoenix for their new album, I Should Have Known The Things You Never Said. Review.
I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE THINGS YOU NEVER SAID – ICARUS PHOENIX
Full of a peculiar vulnerability, I Should Have Known The Things You Never Said, Icarus Phoenix’s new record, touches on themes of rupture and renewal. Their indie rock flirts with shoegaze. And it might bring up some difficult and negative emotions, yet it’s full of optimism and will to move forward. The main track, The Things You Never Told Me, represents that duality well through a gentle progression, warm riffs and tender vocals. It’s a great opening coming up before the tone-changing Live. Give. Lose. Grow.
Once again, it’s an opus filled up with the need and will to learn, to grow and let go, and to go forward despite failures. On several occasions, Drew Danburry’s writing becomes really moving thanks to its humanity, accepting his mistakes. When it’s done with so much musical savoir-faire, it becomes even more enjoyable. The bright High Tide, their cover of Mother Lights’ In The Blood, the folk gentleness of Hatillo 2, the dynamism of When It’s Time to Go – which is my favourite of the record – all bleed of sincerity, a deep sorrow where silver linings can shine.
But some tracks are also more direct, like the incredibly gripping Doctor! Doctor! where depression and dark thoughts are obviously showing. Painting, with guest Teleprom, is also emotionally astonishing, heartbreaking, and with a pretty dark ending, as strong as the rest of the lyrics. Their other collabs are, thankfully, a tad lighter. First with folk The Sword And Harp, with Neva Dinova, and then with the dreamlike Kanashimi 哀しみ with Lake Mary. Icarus Phoenix comes and goes between brutal and peaceful emotions, making I Should Have Known The Things You Never Said incredibly human. The aim: rebuilding oneself.
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