Precursed is a lively romp through the darker recesses of the world, punctuated by huge arpeggiated synths and uplifting string hits. The album sets out to deliberately ‘resist the pull of nihilism,’ whilst also respecting and allowing space for the creeping, guilt, anger and sadness that permeate the modern world.
From the faded intro on the first track ‘Precursed’ to the final ethereal string hits of ‘Postbreath’ the album strikes a, dare we say, perfect balance between happiness, sadness, anger and guilt. It manages to remain remorselessly positive in the face of the world at large, whilst calling attention to the darkness that we all have to deal with.
‘Dead_Place’ epitomises the fight between dark and light that Precursed sets out to explore. The massive orchestral sound dominates the intro before descending into the robotic spoken word. The lofty bought low to bear, with massive chords that are ever present throughout the album, punctuating the ‘verses’ like musical interludes of some sort of heavy metal electronica Sunday service.
The closing track ‘Postbreath’, serves an important purpose in the structure of the album. It feels like it’s there for you to exhale a sigh of relief, take a breath after the audible circuit sprints you’ve been putting yourself through for the last 38 minutes. It allows space for you to reflect on the music, and process your own thoughts and feelings whilst contrasting them against the larger canvas of work that has been delivered into your lap.
Overall Precursed does what it sets out to do. It provides a cathartic experience against the back drop of slowly increasing sadness. It fills you with a synth driven sense of hope, hell, it makes you feel like it’s the early 90’s you’re in Ibiza, you’ve just done a pill and it’s starting to come up. What the hell is global warming? Acts of terror? House prices are 25 times higher than they are now?
There’s a cool thing at work here, an album that simultaneously makes you happy whilst drawing attention to the sadness, recognising it and allowing it to exist, but never succumbing to it. Relentless positivity can be a toxic trait, but when it’s presented in this format you can’t help but get along for the ride, and enjoy it whilst you’re at it.