What happens when three forces of incredible musical talent come together? Sequential Zero, and their debut album "Zero Sum Game" happen. Reluctant to call it a "supergroup", Sequential Zero is not a display of individual egos, rather they are a true display of synchronicity, as each member's influences and nuances are allowed equal ground. Formed by Ant Bannister (Sounds Like Winter), Bruce Nullify (Orcus Nullify), and Colin Gallagher (Burnt Souls AU) back in 2020, they have waited to unveil the album as a whole, rather teasing with us singles throughout the year (read my review for "It's Not About You", which now serves as the opening track), we are treated to the full length in all of its glory. "Night Moves" continues where "It's Not About You" left off, but definitively more upbeat. Glitzy in its production and composition, "Night Moves" has all the makings for a club night anthem. "The Last One to Fall" opens up with a riff that is reminiscent of the brand of post-punk that made Red Lorry Yellow Lorry so great, and is joined in with a buzzing synth that adds a layer Dark Wave to the mix. "Endless Night and Day" carries forth with that formula, but adds in the effects of a howling wolf to drive the ambience of the song to a new height. "It's Always Been You" is an absolute love letter to New Wave, but done so in a wonderfully layered, yet minimalistic approach. Each layer of sound is exactly where it needs to be, and the mix is not overcrowded as some New Wave songs had a tendency to do. This song proves that less is more; by shedding the weight, the composition can truly soar. Ending the twelve-song LP is "Adjusting Expectations" a more somber effort, showcasing icy guitars, pounding drums, and airy synths, as the vocals brood and lament, bringing a satisfying conclusion to almost an hour's worth of amazing music. "Zero Sum Game", if not on your radar, absolutely needs to be. Furthermore, this album is going to be incredibly difficult to top, as Sequential Zero have now affectively raised the bar to dizzying new heights.
Standout Tracks: "Night Moves", "Endless Night and Day", and "The Banishing Spell". But really, the whole album is nothing short of stellar.
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