SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LIGHTMARES – DEAR LIFE

LIGHTMARES
DEAR LIFE
TARANTULA TAPES

Sudbury, ON’s very own Lightmares are back with their newest album, Dear Life. Their fifth full-length release follows 2021’s NÜ TOYZ and sees the trio expand their sound within the pop punk genre. The band has partnered with Tarantula Tapes to deliver Dear Life on a limited run of pink cassettes.

“Brother Guitar” opens the album with a pop punk inspired riff that starts and stops in tandem with the vocals. Still, there is something unique to the track beyond the surface. Firstly, it’s slower than mid-tempo pace, along with a spacious chorus and a dissonant wave of guitar feedback used in place of a solo make “Brother Guitar” a track that sets the bar for Dear Life.

Dear Life is led by a trio of singles released throughout 2022 and 2023, “Black Balloon”, “Stick It (No Hard Feelings)”, and “Satisfied Either Way”. The former is a more standard, modern punk track with an up-beat pulse that makes excellent use of a bridge and a tasteful cowbell. “Stick It (No Hard Feelings)”, on the other hand is driven by a shuffling beat and a spacious arrangement that develops throughout the course of the song to great effect – so much so that it is among the strongest songs on the album. The latter of the three delivers a fuller arrangement through layers of lush guitars and backing vocals, forming a gentle soundscape. Additional highlights among the 12 songs include “Brand New House”, “Make Me A Star”, “This City At Night”, and “Courtesy For The Shitsucker”.

For their fifth outing, Lightmares continue to develop their sound through unique songwriting that separates them from their contemporaries. It is through such that the band successfully branches out from their clear pop punk influences in a way that leans towards modern alternative rock, ultimately making Dear Life their most versatile and most exciting release to date.

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