Released 31 January 2025
Fantasy Records
Ever since L.S. Dunes introduced themselves to the world back in 2022 with debut Past Lives, they’ve instilled a newfound growth and sound in contemporary emo/rock. A combination of chaos and calm in the best way, they’re honing in on their past glories and devising dreamy new melodies and killer riffs. From a band that combines the talents of My Chemical Romance, Saosin, Circa Survive, Thursday and Coheed and Cambria, the future of emo is in great hands.
Opening the record with ‘Like Magick’, Anthony Green’s vocals are drilled into us with that familiar twang. Only on this track he gives us softly spoken words of wisdom, paired with instrumentally driven, cinematic vision and “everything feels new”. That chaos I mentioned? It doesn’t ring clear until we hear ‘Fatal Deluxe’. Raw, gritty yet oddly poetic, technical melodies are crafted together with jarring vocals and Green’s championed achievements are heavily abundant.
‘I Can See It Now…’ kicks things into gear with high vibrations and warm bass tones. Here, L.S. Dunes sound more like an underground band practising in their basement. Guitarists Frank Iero and Travis Stever band together to deliver slick and edgy riffs in refreshing undertones. It is on songs like ‘I Can See It Now…’ that we are witnessing these musicians hone in on musical abilities we have yet to hear. With that new persona in mind, the title track of the LP sits nicely as track 4 with a stagger of wavering emotions. Vocally, ‘Violet’ moves through the chaotic mind and breathes new life through powerful melodies.
The back half of Violet begs to deliver and ingrain a style into L.S. Dunes that feels like their best selves yet. ‘Machines’ contains riffy punk rock that is both soothing and uplifting. It’s the band in their most confident era yet, as Green encourages us that we can be anything we want in this life. Meanwhile, ‘You Deserve To Be Haunted’ is a fiery concoction of early MCR and Saosin. Iero shines here with the accompaniment of Stever, levelling up on their past and delivering a refined sound of 2000s emo/alternative rock. It’s still overall an L.S. Dunes track, but hardcore My Chem fans will froth this one.
One of the more lyrically driven songs on Violet is ‘Holograms’. Allowing the music to step back subtly, Green ingrains new definition in his vocal range which prepares us for the anthemic tune that is ‘Paper Tigers’. This one begs to be the one that defines who L.S. Dunes are in 2025 as they deliver exhilarating, melody-driven power chords through sonic waves. These overpowering waves almost feels overstimulating, yet allows us to enjoy the music just as it is.
The punchy drum beat on ‘Things I Thought Would Last Forever’ blends craftily with delicate guitars and strong empowering words. Offering almost deafening soundbytes, it’s the climactic breakthrough of Violet — the chaos is almost drowned out and in place we’re given an expansive soundscape of alternative rock. This is best summed up on closing track ‘Forgiveness’ though, as Green sings out one final hymn of wholesome acceptance. It’s a vibrant, uplifting anthem of joy that begs to deliver powerful guitar riffs into the emo community.
This album is L.S. Dunes in their most natural form yet. Like its opening track, Violet delivers pure magic and we are taken on a journey that moves through the chaotic mind in ways that are fleeting. The emo/rock supergroup band together to inject new life into a genre they’ve seemingly grown into and pinpoint their focus into definitive rock melodies that feel almost refreshing. It may have a nostalgic past, but Violet is anything but. Embrace the melodies and magic and just give into it.
Rating: 8/10
Review by Tamara May
Pre-save Violet here
L.S. Dunes – Violet tracklisting:
1. Like Magick
2. Fatal Deluxe
3. I Can See It Now…
4. Violet
5. Machines
6. You Deserve To Be Haunted
7. Holograms
8. Paper Tigers
9. Things I Thought Would Last Forever
10. Forgiveness
