Onward and Upward

Earth is Not a Cold Dead place fill the unnamed space between satisfaction and relief emotions that replaced happiness as you get older. This is the first step into maturity, as a band, for Explosions in the Sky and I am here for it.

The title feels like a declaration, a man shouting, reminding himself the truth despite so much cynicism in the mainstream. The first song, “First Breath After a Coma” evokes the title and establishes the musical motif this album. Piano and guitar walk hand in hand into a sober optimism that permeates through each track.

The best song on the album, and maybe their magnum opus, is “Your Hand in Mine”. Though this is not the version I fell in love with it is still the quintessential Explosions in the Sky song, this unique blend of adolescent excitement, melancholy, and acceptance. Like the feeling at the end of summer or when you know your crush won’t work out. This is the original version, not the one made famous by Friday Night Lights. This version is slower, longer and just a bit more driven.

Earth is not a Cold Dead place is that evolution I was looking for from Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever. The composition feels more complex and interesting and does better upon revisiting than the previous album did.

This album gave me hope for them as a band. ‘How Strange, Innocence’ will always be there for me to enjoy but now they’ve proven they can change and I want to see what they grow into.