From my ten year experience of reviewing tracks and albums, I often come across depressing bandswho get even gloomier on their second effort, and this was expectation from Darkstar. Already their debut North was a moody and broody affair, with pout and hands shoved in its pockets. Based on that first body of work, Time Away should be positively suicidal.
Be prepared for a shock.
This track reminds me of Aero chocolate; it’s full of bubbles and very floaty. Although I will not say it is light, there is a certain easy listening pleasantness which was absent before. If one can summarise this track in one word it would be ‘pretty’.
It is always a surprise when a band changes musical direction, especially if it’s a more optimistic one. If Time Away is anything to judge, album number two will surprise a lot of North fans.
