Aesthetic Perfection - 'Til Death

'Til Death is Aesthetic Perfection's fourth full length release, and what a ground breaker it is. Following a similar style as the previous release 'All Beauty Destroyed', Graves brings back some roots with a whole new fresh ideal to give a hugely successful and revolutionary album. Although met with a huge divide in opinion of the fan base for being 'pop-industrial', it is one of Aesthetic Perfection's best releases in my eyes and sets a whole new standard of what we can expect from future musicians we know and love. Try not to categorise artists, or label too heavily, they are a nice control method for finding sounds but some releases deserve to be enjoyed outside of the limits of one genre, 'Til Death is a great example of this. Do not be put off by the 'upbeat pop' or 'sell-out' terms that people are throwing around. Just listen and enjoy.

The album opens with 'Happily Ever After', a nice haunting intro with a strong progressive build up which resonates as a whole the entire concept and feel of the album. Intros like this are rare to find and it is definitely a great starting point to listen from. The marching drums, the creative lyricism of wedding vows to tie the track together leading to a sound towards the end which would resemble the rest of the album.

The previously released 'Antibody' opens up next, somewhat losing the atmosphere that was built up with the first track but all together enjoyable to listen to and heavily addictive, filling up dance floors all over the world, I'm sure. The dark electronic sound and lyrics of a neo-romantic atmosphere really compliment each other and such is for most of the other tracks. Daniel Graves's harmonic and 'clean' harsh vocal style are again well used in every track, providing again that 'beauty and the beast' aesthetic while proving the skills and independence of the artist.

Again, 'Big Bad Wolf' being a previously released track still stands strong amongst the other tracks. Being that perfectly seamless blend between pleasant and dark. 'Showtime' is a really unique track in itself, being hugely different in sound from the rest of the album. Having qualities of IAMX, which seems to be a big inspiration to Graves's work, it compliments the style of IAMX whilst making it his own in that dark, melodic and haunting way. This track really compliments itself with the intro 'Happily Ever After', and may have made a smoother transition if it were after the intro but that's a mild qualm.

'The New Black' seems to appear as the highlight of the album, at least for it's more upbeat and slightly 'controversial' concept under that dancey music, in that it's more an attack of how we perceive our idols and celebrity culture, at least on the surface (everything is fine). The final track, again being a unique sound, and similar to the previous release in that the track closes on a softer more melodic tone. Fitting in perfectly with the rest of the album it is a pleasant finish which has definitely made me instantly replay the album after it left me wanting more.

Each track holds its own unique flavour and upholds its own addictive qualities, which will have you having a favourite track for sure. You'll have to hold back from singing along, I guarantee it. Aesthetic Perfection has managed to mix diverse and catchy sounds with his great lyrical style which allow for a general appreciation as well as a deeper routed interest once looked at enough. You can find deep romantic or violent themes embedded into the tracks but on a surface level are still completely and thoroughly enjoyable; which personally, is the sign of a well written album.

I wouldn't say the album was an 'experience' for me per se, I didn't feel an overbearing quality of story telling or natural overall progression, but I did feel that each track stood on its own, holding something special and overall the album is a solid, well made release of great songs that can enjoyed outside their original arrangement and also as a whole, without feeling tied to an order or brainwashing concept/ideology.

The album artwork (although not key to the release) is superb too, something very uncommon within the 'scene' and seems to resemble the dark vs. light side of the release most obviously with the two figures of contrasting dress, which also resemble the 'marriage' concept. But also more symbolically in the use of flowers and colour, and skulls and death mask make-up. This ties in well with Aesthetic Perfections 'brand' and entire stage presence. From costume design and make-up to the lively performances and entrances he manages to achieve. All aspects of Aesthetic Perfection's work is a thoroughly enjoyable and truly successful piece of work. I can imagine any future releases causing major havoc and it will blow the socks off ruddy everyone!

Daring, confident, clever. Some words to describe Aesthetic Perfection, without even mentioning the success of the sounds produced and arranged on this release. A near perfect release, nothing at all to argue except for heavily minor nitpicking. Aesthetic Perfection is going places - still. If you haven't got your eye on them (which you should do because every release has been fantastic) then you should really be watching and listening now! Excellent release. Excellent band. Support them. May 16 2014