The term lost art” is overused and often misleading. You’ll hear it about things like physical media or photography, but the fact that Instagram exists and that whatever latest big pop star bogs down the vinyl plants, we as a society love to capture and appreciate those moments whenever possible. British alternative metal band As Everything Unfolds take that notion to heart on their stellar, colorful sophomore record. Ultraviolet, out now via Long Branch Records, is all about duality.
From their newfound creative view on modern metal to a lyrical through-line that goes from the darkest blacks to the most vibrant pinks and purples, if you ever wondered what Paramore would sound like if they were more influenced by British metalcore and Spiritbox, Ultraviolet is the stunning answer.
A clear theme rises up about the current of progress and how being open to the process of change is the best way for it to become a positive.
“We felt Ultraviolet was the perfect natural follow-up album from our debut,” shares vocalist Charlie Rolfe. “We always look at everything like an open work in progress; everything is ever-changing and continuing forward. The lyrical themes are less melancholy and slightly more on the side of progression and encouraging yourself to be a better you.”
Musically, the record is much more broad-spectrum than their debut, in line with theme of progression. The punkier hooks are sharper, the riffs more metallic, and the electronic flourishes more prominent. No two songs are replicants, though Ultraviolet is remarkably cohesive.
“The focus this time round,” guitarist Adam Kerr says, “was definitely a shift into making a more cohesive and focused album. We had a lot of fun being experimental with structures and keeping the listener second guessing, but we really wanted every piece to be in place just as it should be. We set out to create a slightly darker piece, yet somehow along the way we ended up at a lot more hopeful destination. Just as using a darkroom exposes photographs to full color, so too does it seem to do the same for music.”
There’s the sense that this record would be incredible for those that experience synesthesia. From the industrial neon pulsing of “Flip Side,” the warm earth tones of alt pop jam “Felt Like Home,” and the raging red hardcore of “Slow Down,” the full UV spectrum is utilized throughout the record. According to Rolfe, synesthesia was part of the research that led to the record, though its themes were more related to something she has experience with: photography. That notion of fuller colors was important to play up.
“I did a degree in photography where I spent a lot of my time doing traditional darkroom practice,” says Rolfe. “In a darkroom to expose full color, you have to expose at the Ultraviolet end of the spectrum, the full color spectrum, if you will, exposing images in full darkness. This translated to me like ‘to see life in full color you have to expose through ultraviolet light.’”
Ultraviolet is the antithesis of our perfectly curated social media profiles, though it’s all the more beautiful in its earnest series of self-discovery. There’s a clear push and pull as noted above in the desire to be both honest with how they feel and see the fuller picture in each snapshot, almost like a futuristic 3D rendering of 2D photography.
“Every piece of work we do is definitely a snapshot of what we’re experiencing and creating at that time,” Rolfe elaborates. “We focused a lot on the progression of the band, the happiness we felt in achieving what we achieved; everything we do always progresses forward, and I feel that does speak volumes when you hear this record, and we hope to continue on that path for future music to come.”
Whether or not they end up in arenas, these songs are clearly aiming to be heard by large masses. Ultraviolet is that rare album that is both widely accessible and deeply personal. You will find inspiration and hope in the darkness here.
Photo courtesy of As Everything Unfolds
