Synthesizer

A Place to Bury Strangers arent known as one of the worlds loudest bands for nothing, and on Synthesizer, they make a point of upholding that reputation. Turning away from the melodic, eclectic sounds of See Through You, their seventh full-length takes a much rawer direction that "noisy" doesnt begin to describe. On the centerpiece "Bad Idea," Oliver Ackermann and company stand at the edge of oblivion, nearly swallowed by a wind-tunnel howl that feels ear-bleedingly loud no matter the volume level -- a feat they replicate with the shrieking guitars that punctuate "Disgust." Moments like these seek to capture the fearsome power of A Place to Bury Strangers live shows, but on record, they threaten to crowd out the bands other strengths. On Synthesizers highlights, APTBS open up their music enough to reveal the finer points of the sounds they coax out of their instruments. It seems like theyre playing upside-down and backwards on the deconstructed psych rock of "Its Too Much," while "Dont Be Sorry"s clever use of simple dynamic shifts transforms it into a blaze of noise-rock glory. The bands Suicide worship is as potent as ever on "Fear of Transformation," where an industrial stomp barely holds down shards of guitars and synths that ripple and wail. Though this is one of the albums showcases of its namesake instrument, Synthesizers focus is on how A Place to Bury Strangers unite sounds and themes in their music. When Ackermann returns to the glowering post-punk that has shaped his work from the beginning, its with a less rigid, more affectionate touch than some of the revivalists who came up in the 2010s and 2020s. In the best way possible, "You Got Me"s galloping drama sounds like 1989 never went away; on "Plastic Future" and "Join the Crowd," Ackermann rails against conformity with the conviction of a true believer. Following the albums explosions, the sweeping closing track "Comfort Never Comes" feels like a well-earned -- and haunting -- return to the bands lyrical side. It may not match See Through Yous consistent brilliance, but at its best, Synthesizer delivers the noise for which A Place to Bury Strangers is known and quite a bit more. ~ Heather Phares