Release Date: 6 March 2026
Song Count: 8
Duration: 32 minutes, 4 seconds
Rating: 6.6/10
Description:
Song Count: 8
Duration: 32 minutes, 4 seconds
Rating: 6.6/10
Description:
(Oh hey, 200th review!)
Here we return to the mystical world of shoegaze music with the Floridian duo Autumn's Grey Solace and their most recent release from only over a month ago, that being The Neverending. Using waving electronic synths and distant sounding guitars to create enchanting sonical experiences since 2002, the band has always had an affinity for the gothic and shadowed side of music, citing the likes of The Cacteau Twins, Dead Can Dance and The Cure as their primary inspirations - a fact that becomes evident once diving into their discography. This new album of theirs jumps right back into this well-founded style, soaking itself in the dark esotericism that has been following them since their dawn.
Focusing more on the general feel the music provides rather than the tracks on their own, The Neverending embraces its nature as an ethereal sounding piece music that combines gritty, reverberating guitars and the siren-like vocals provided by Erin Welton with synth-driven touches. This otherworldly feel and meticulously used sound tapestry indulges itself directly into the effect it creates, letting lead ideas and melodies linger and loop for the 3- to 4-minute duration of each song. Combined together, it results in a full experience that is on the shorter end for its genre, but nevertheless provides everything it strives for - a tranquil and moody setting meant to emotionally elevate the listener.
A mesmerising record filled with a gloomy charm, The Neverending provides a pleasant listen-through throughout its runtime, and it is clear that Autumn's Grey Solace are masters of their craft. Rarely does one find a piece that captures the spiritual essence of shoegaze music quite like this in such an immersive way, and in that regard, this album is a soaring success. That said, its more atmospheric nature and lack of a direct focus in its music does hold it back from being a piece that captures my attention in a noticeable way. As a result, though highly respectable overall, this is unlikely to be a package that will see much returning listens, at least in the near future. Still, check this out if in the mood for some melancholy shoegaze.