The Dark Review
Easily their boldest and most creatively dense output to date, 'The Dark' finds Lofter in equal parts energetic and contemplative. Somehow, across its three blink-and-you'll-miss-'em tracks, the record manages to traverse an impressive range of music styles and influences. Deliberate or not, Clifford's vocal performance over the opening two songs evokes both Gallagher brothers one by one. Meanwhile closer 'The Glow' approaches something Pink Floydian with its sonically layered outro but also channels elements of grunge with the driving, hooky guitar riff playing throughout.
That's not all in the way of those either... 'The Pain' (the Liam one) opens with an utterly urgent riff setting out their intent for this project. On this self-proclaimed angry record, Lofter mean business. Yet it does brim with brightness at times too. On 'The One' (the Noel one), we see the band try their hand at straight up blues rock, and the result is the funkiest piece they have ever released.
Despite the breadth of influences here, there is a strong sense of cohesion between the tracks. Rather than being a mere collection of songs, 'The Dark' feels like a united artistic statement (hinted at through its track titles). Across a twelve minute runtime, we are taken on an epic journey which builds to a climax during the second half of 'The Glow'.
Impassioned, assured and groovy, Lofter certainly are 'living life within the flow'.
Isaac French @isaacfrenchy