Peace Within

After the changes that appeared on Morning World, Jamison Isaak’s (aka Teen Daze) newest record, Themes For Dying Earth, seems to hold on to that energy whilst continuing to shift. While Morning World‘s sound blossomed outward, Themes For Dying Earth is a settled and more mature version.

“Cycle” starts the album with a slightly disorienting synth loop that creates a feeling of reversal. This helps ground the drum set that carries the opener, a common theme for the rest of the album. It is an overall light and airy song that finds balance in between the quiet and the hectic. “Dream City” slows things down, as the focus turns to the delicate layering, creating an ethereal landscape with just the faintest hint of city traffic in the background. Further along is “Cherry Blossoms,” which returns to the brighter sound from the intro. With it, we are also treated to the wistfulness that was felt earlier in the album, as the song becomes more heavily textured and creates movement. The album ends with “Breath,” a simple, minimalist closer that follows the pattern of calming breath.

Themes For Dying Earth is an album that shows how much Isaak has come into his craft. This album is simultaneously similar to what he has done in the past while also pushing further than ever before, diving into the deep end of the sound pool. Though not disheartening, the theme of a dying earth is still captured exactly in terms of having that moment of peace right before the end. Within the context of each individual song, there is always a theme or a picture and each song fulfills just that. Every emotion addressed is captured. Simultaneously, the lyrics melt into the music, conglomerating with each other, creating an entire album that one can drown in.