Duality

高く評価されているミュージシャン、Lindsey Stirling の7枚目のスタジオ・アルバム

アルバムの各面で2つの異なるスタイルの音楽を探求する本作
アルバムの前半では、ケルト音楽や彼女が影響を受けた壮大で精巧なサウンドが中心であるのに対し、後半は、大胆にも独創的なポップ・サウンドとなっている

Yet another well-crafted and beautiful collection of energized pop-violin virtuosity, Duality returns Lindsey Stirling back to basics after 2019s epic, chart-topping concept album Artemis. Featuring input from Mako, Graham Muron (30STM, Skrillex), Lucky West (Walk the Moon), and composer Steve Mazzaro, the set features all the magical wonder and theatrical scope that fans have come to expect from Stirling, who excels at this form of rousing, emotionally charged instrumental wonder. Plucked strings, handclaps, and a storm of choir singers elevate the sweeping "Eye of the Untold Her," while mystical echoes and Stirlings recognizable war cry punctuate the towering "Evil Twin" as a deep drop injects hip-hop/electronic heft into the mix. Ghosts of Celtic folk and brash electric guitar rip through the majestic "Purpose" and "Untamed," as a steady heartbeat carries "Surrender" to a cathartic close and "Serenity Found" lives up to its name, offering a brief respite. The titular concept is reflected in the track listing, with "The Scarlett Queen" mirroring "Evil Twin" on the start of the second half, which features guests Royal & the Serpent (the pulsing jam "Inner Gold") and Walk off the Earths Sarah Blackwood (the rousing empowerment anthem "Survive," which interpolates Gloria Gaynors disco standard). Keeping with the idea of healing, "Kintsugi" -- named after the Japanese art of repairing cracked vessels with gold -- nourishes the soul before the bouncy, triumphant closer "La Fees" dances its way into a fearless future. Duality takes the size of its predecessor and merges it with the emotional heft and introspection of earlier works, resulting in one of the best offerings in her catalog to date. ~ Neil Z. Yeung