On their second full-length album, LUGOSi expand the boundaries of their explosive post-hardcore, layering in post-rock, noise, math-rock and more. Complete with additional ornamentation they felt could only be achieved in the studio, they have established a sound that is textured, expressive and dynamically expansive.
Fans of Palm Reader, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Black Peaks and Gallows will find much to enjoy in LUGOSi, as the band blend mathy post-hardcore with cinematic post-rock and expressive musical ornamentation, delivering some exceptional individual flair and impassioned vocal performances.
“The Scars is personal and urgent, yet grand in scope. ”
Though they dabble in personal darkness and despair, at the heart of The Scars is a yearning for fairness, unity and progress. Whilst laying bare personal stories of unhealthy coping mechanisms, suicidal despair and the grief of bereavement, they also rage at the injustice of a violent world, and dream of a better one. The musical backdrop lends the lyrics a fragile, desperate edge, perfectly underlining the message of these songs. The Scars is personal and urgent, yet grand in scope.
There are an abundance of strong ideas on The Scars and LUGOSi’s originality can hardly be questioned but somehow it’s lacking the je ne sais quoi that might make it all the more memorable. ‘A Taste For Chaos’ in particular is a bit of a misstep, both lyrically and musically. It adds little to an otherwise quite enjoyable album, and it’s perhaps more derivative than the band have shown themselves capable of.
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As richly layered and intriguingly orchestrated as songs like ‘The Fire’ and album closer ‘Everything Ends’ are, there is still room for the band to refine their sound further. Perhaps the mix occasionally stands in their way, in that regard; though it all sounds polished, modern and punchy, there is little in the way of dynamic range and it suffocates these songs somewhat, taking away the impact that certain moments ought to elicit. Take for example, the likes of Bruit, Birds In Row and Alcest, fellow French bands who excel in the art of dynamic control. If LUGOSi could apply that same approach, they really could strike gold. Nonetheless, they make up for any such imperfections with an exciting album and LUGOSi are certainly ones to keep your eye on.
They’re here, they’re queer and they are paving a way forward for the next generation with kindness and righteous fury.
With room to grow, LUGOSi have demonstrated an ability to combine seemingly disparate elements, and their passion alone will surely carry them a long way.