The Burning Season

Monica Richards and William Faith took their time when it came to following up 1999's Evidence of Heaven. They spent four years sifting through their wild imaginations and wide sonic palettes for a reason; they wanted to be ready to take on the shift in music and be powerful enough to stand alone. Faith & the Muse have never been ones to follow what's appealing on a mainstream level, but this time they embraced certain elements of dance and pop to create their best album in years. The Burning Season is an atmospheric soundscape, both gauzy and hypnotic with string arrangements and Faith's classic blistering guitar work. There's a newfound confidence burgeoning on this album as well, and the immediate kick-start of "Sredni Vashtar" represents the duo's desire to be taken seriously. They're not just another token goth rock act. Faith & the Muse are artists in the most literate sense; however, unlike their counterparts, they have a spark. The Burning Season is unapologetic in its dynamics. Richards is a temptress on "Boudiccea," a swirling shoegazing trip of fluid acoustics. Just when you think the band's got you in its circle, "Gone to Ground" switches things up. This is Faith & the Muse's own lounge selection, and again Richards is a siren. Fans who adore the band's incorporation of mythology and neo-classical folk will enjoy "Visions" and "Whispered in Your Ear." These particular tracks thrive on the band's roots, but with an electronic twist. The redesign is impressive. Ten years after their formation, Faith & the Muse have a firm grasp on what they want to be, and The Burning Season captures how unshakable they truly are as artists. Instead of making something curiously artistic just for the sake of it, Faith & the Muse are exquisite finding something fresh.