SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PINK MILK – NIGHT ON EARTH

PINK MILK
NIGHT ON EARTH
BLACK HAIR MUSIC

Pink is a duo out of Sweden, consisting of Maria (vocals and drums) and Edward (guitar and bass) Forslund. They have been making albums since 2017 (Purple), and Night On Earth is their third album. Night On Earth is more science fiction and fantasy than their other albums. It is also a concept album about the end of the world. Night On Earth is somewhat darker than their previous albums. 

Night On Earth is co-produced by Pink Milk and Jacob Haage and the sound relies on ghostly vocals sounding far off in the distance, with layered floating and jarring music. In many respects this is a band with 1980s sensibility, while making the music contemporary. It is clearly a headphone album, and not one that would go down well in a rave. It is more the type of album where one slips on their headphones, turns off the lights and drifts away into the world of Pink Milk.

The album opens with a heavy dark song that sounds like the dark cousin of 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love”, but quickly morphs into its own sound and style. It is an interesting combination of angel-like voices but a very heavy dark sound as its foundation. Songs like “Who Breaks Your Heart” are much more layered and have excellent use of sound and synthesizer. Again, the vocals, which are distant and ethereal, steal the show and draw the listener in. The song almost becomes a meditation but with the added production and arrangements, it becomes a very strong track.

There is also a bit of humour on the album with songs like “We Should Listen To Goth Everyday”, which features Edward on lead vocals and is another highlight of the album. A more straightforward goth/pop song with a great melody and sparse production. But really this is not about fun or having a good time. It is a serious and thought-provoking album with some tracks, like the last track, “Boy Tears”, downright scary. The phone message with the altered voice and the sound effects is terrifying and leaves the listener with an uneasy feeling.

The downside of the album is that it is all very similar. While there is some variety with sound and pacing of songs, especially at the end of the album, the album tends to run together. This is obviously the goal of the band, but as a listener listening to the album can be a little challenging in maintaining the listener’s interest. That being said, it is an interesting album that is well written. Pink Milk is very serious about their music and Night On Earth is a an album that fans will enjoy, in a depressed kind of  way.

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