Solstice: Sia

After 7 years away UK progressive rock act Solstice (not to be confused with a number of other bands operating under that name across the world) returned in 2020 with the album Sia. Impressively after that extended break, five of the band’s number remained, Andy Glass (guitar/vocals), Jenny Newman (violin), Pete Hemsley (drums), Robin Phillips (bass) and Steven McDaniel (keyboards/vocals) joined by singer Jess Holland who fronted the band in place of Emma Brown. It’s guitarist Andy Glass who writes, produces and mixes everything in sight, and his touch is rather glorious whether that be caressing the frets or ensuring that everything here sounds excellent as Solstice weave what is a rather sedate pattern through some dreamy, ethereal progressive fare. That’s not to say that this act don’t ever burst into something more energetic and demanding - just listen to the closing section of the lengthy album opening “Shout� to discover that Glass and Newman can kick up a storm as guitars and violin go head to head, all the while the rhythm section hitting hard, the keyboards swirling and the vocals bouncing off the walls.

For me the unfortunate thing from there is that much like the opening 9 or so minutes of that song, the rest of the album moves into a more reserved situation, excellent, gentle melodies and vocals creating moods and textures that shimmer in the sun, or dance with observed fragility. In fairness, as “Love Is Coming� moves into “Long Gone� the effect is beautiful, Holland a genuinely interesting singer who absolutely revels in this style, while the acoustic guitar work and clever arrangements make for melancholy magic. Personally, I’d like something a little more exuberant to change the focus from time to time and even with “Stand Up� more forceful in nature, it still sits in a slower mid-tempo position and feels reserved when compared to that scintillating solo section in the aforementioned “Shout�. If you’re looking for a relaxing album to while away an afternoon sitting in solitude in the sun, this might well be it, but don’t expect the neighbours to appear wondering when the party started… although maybe that’s a good thing…

Track Listing
1. Shout
2. Love Is Coming
3. Long Gone
4. Stand Up
5. Seven Dreams
6. A New Day
7. Cheyenne 2020

Added: April 28th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Solstice @ bandcamp
Hits: 158
Language: english

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