Art is a product of its time. Whether it be glorious paintings, impressive statues or the music of generations past, the environment an artist grows in has a large impact on their work. “Sky’s Rage” brings a host of inspired tunes that air on the dark or heavier side, with musical aesthetics that easily draw the listener into its’ world starting with “Send Letters.”
The track hits the ground running after a small synth build-up, with guitar and drums hitting the scene at the same time. The smooth, raspy vocals of Paul Lewis have a distinctly vintage aesthetic to them which works perfectly with the distorted guitars that prop it up. The drums and bass create the perfect atmosphere to groove to, with the bass weaving its way through the power of the drums that will make you sway back and forth in your seat. Lyrically, the track is one about the nature of building a relationship with another person online, since meeting the person may prove to defy expectations. Lines such as “you’ve come a long way with me, across oceans just to stop time. You’re shy, but only online” speak directly to this dynamic, which is becoming increasingly more common. When it all comes together, “Send Letters” is the first stand-out track on the album that really grabs your attention the second the intro is over.
“Black” follows it up. From the top, the track has an old school arena rock feel with guitars that sound larger-than-life bringing you into the track. This feeling never leaves the track and the mixing on the it gives the song a quality that immerses you into the aesthetic, transporting you to the live arena experience it postures. The way the track ebbs and flows, with the distorted electric guitar hanging over the instrumentals while the acoustic jams below, feels perfect and is only made even more immersive when propped up by the power of the drums and bass. Armed with a catchy chorus that simply begs you to rock out and sing along when you hear it, “Black” is an excellent follow-up to “Send Letters” that solidifies that old-school rock aesthetic in the best way possible.
“The Shift” is another stand-out track. The heavy percussion of the drums during the intro establishes a powerful feel to the track, with the gentle tambourine shakes smoothing the harsh impact. When the acoustic guitar starts jamming, the strumming instantly commands the listeners’ attention and is easy to get lost in. The track keeps this mellow, melancholy aesthetic throughout which matches the feel of the vocal aesthetic. “The Shift” has a very distinct personality that sets it apart from the rest of the track, with a bass groove that subtly backs it all up. The bassline is impossible to ignore once you notice it and is another element that’s easy to get lost in, as it’s easy to move your head to it. This mysterious personality the track creates stands out from the rest of the album, with a reserved nature that feels charming among the rest of the tracks on the album.
“Sky’s Rust” is a fun listen with an old school feel. Though it starts slow, the album immediately picks up with Ozzy-inspired vocals of “Send Letters” and never stops the ride from there. The retro rock aesthetic works well when combined with the vocal charms of Paul Lewis, giving each track an eclectic charm that’s easy to get into. If you’re looking for a modern take on some classic sounds, this is the release you’re looking for.
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