Seahaven - REVERIE LAGOON: MUSIC FOR ESCAPISM ONLY

Released	25th March 2014
Recorded Record Label	2013 Run For Cover Records
Genre	Emo/ Blues/ Post
Length	51:33
Origin	Torrance, California
Rating	9 / 10

Waiting four years for another brilliant album by Seahaven was worth the wait. Previously they have released two similar lined albums in 2010-2011, with a close margin for them to share a great deal of corresponding themes. With this four year wait, we would expect the band to show some level of progression, and that's exactly what Seahaven have done in Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only. Doing exactly what it said in the title you will find a whole new paradise to be explored within the 14 track record. 

Introducing us to this change, Fifty-Four provides a drained melodic intro of a simple guitar riff, which is soon joined by vocalist Kyle Soto easing you with a light stretched sound that softly exits into its quiet outro. 

It's laid back trance is almost broken with the second track Andreas which kicks up a more lively nostalgic feeling from Ghost. Proven to be one of my favourites off the album due to its live upbeat tone hidden in Kyle's voice it allows the tranquil music to follow on, keeping its main focus to relax to. We have not lost the old Seahaven, as clear elements are shown in Flesh.

Another upbeat and catchy song, this one allows for more movement and attitude as it makes you want to dance around to its breakout beat of the drums and electric feel of the guitars, having a really edgy and sharp spit to it, the strong is overpowering with it's hard hitting strength. 

The start to this album is clearly different in what you probably were expecting, however it has been carefully crafted to overlay perfectly, not causing an obvious change in their subtle sound. Four years of work has paid off as this is an album which you can just sit back and relax to, not even bothering to get up to change the song, they all intertwine with another to work as an escapist trance which you can lose yourself in. Something not commonly done but definitely needed, Seahaven have managed to accomplish this desire we all secretively crave in one beautiful album. Referring to it's artistic style and composure, its delightful melody's and soft brittle tone that tenses at various peaks, each song is tranquil and calming to your ears.

One song in particular stood out from the rest, On The Floor instantly hit me with its captivating repetitive guitar strum playing over and over in your heard. The simple utterances in which Kyle exposes ever so shortly and peacefully adds to the climatic narrative. Hearing his sharp unique voice echo captures such emotion and sadness, feeling knee deep, the drums kick in to save this downbeat song, lifting it higher with a second guitar beat. Softly fading out with its much familiar intro the song ends on a similar note to as it started.

Love To Burn brings out their more indie blues style as related themes from Kodaline and explored with the quiet instrumental build up to create a focus on its overall sound rather than just the vocals, which parallel it perfectly. 

With most of their songs over four minutes in length the last one Four-Eleven ends the album with a nice soft transition back to the start, having a strong correlation with Fifty-Four it sets you back with an obvious finish as it comes to no surprise that another well-constructed album has been made from Seahaven. 

Overall I thought the album was brilliant, hitting every right spot in my mind allowing it to be a soft and easy listen, I am really confident that the change they have taken was the right one, as it truly is unique and remarkable. Giving it four stars and a 9/10 was well deserved as it's truly relaxing.