Don’t mean to disturb your stressful day. But have you ever wondered where this world is heading? Used to be that you could ignore these questions. Used to be that enough thrills, a sense of purpose and maybe even a good night’s sleep were enough to turn it off.
It ain’t anymore. The future’s rushed in. The future’s beamed down from every news station, website and social media app. And all the news bulletins are covered in mournful sounds and fatalistic predictions. Nobody is able to turn it off anymore. But who will be able to use it?
Love Ghost has always made music that’s been firmly and stubbornly planted in the here and now. This music, typically, mixed modern production, and gritty songwriting with trendy sounds. Even when bringing on board older elements, like grunge or nu-metal, it feels like Love Ghost is responding to current interest from young fans.
These are the reasons why Love Ghost needs to talk about the current times, and let the music be imbued by the sense of soul searching that characterizes the lives of many of its fans.
“Memento Mori,” the new album arrives after quite a monumental run. Albums and video singles have been released at a consistent pace, with the recent collaboration with esteemed industrial-metal pioneer, Skold, being a particular highlight.
Yes, “Memento Mori” is a collection obsessed with the here and now, alright. Album opener, “DECOY,” featuring katsu energy, blends modern Latin pop-rock with grunge guitar riffs and classic rock guitar solos. The song rocks back and forth like the world tilting off its edge.
Next, “Chronicles” brings together Love Ghost’s riotous tendencies with an interest in contemporary hip-hop taht’s been consistent across his career. It’s a song about developing nihilistic tendencies as a coping mechanism with the manipulative nature of the the corporate and political arenas.
There’s more inspiration taken from the daily struggles of today’s youth on the mournful “The Monster Inside,” a track featuring Plata Shail, and duality-obsessed “Twosides.”
Even romance is painted in dirt, obsession and cruelty as can be heard on the DEER feature “Spiritual Warfare,” one of the album’s clear highlights.
Where does it all leave us? Confused and consuming too much of the things that steal energy rather than replenish it. “Imposter” is a song about finding like-minded individuals in all the wrong places, while “Somewhere Up On Mars” is the alt-rock anthem that ends this new chapter in Love Ghost’s career on a hopeful note.
Rock stars who are left confused, and struggling by the world around them can make their greatest work when they zoom in on their feelings. This is exactly what Love Ghost does here on this modern rap-rock hybrid.
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