Solars are a band that previously evaded me, but thankfully I was recommended them on hearing they were looking for PR services for their upcoming debut album. I was drawn to A Fading Future straight away, and the news that the album would be released on Glasgow based post-rock/metal label Ripcord Records only got me more excited. I’d been following Ripcord for a while and have already acquired records from other bands on the label (namely Seas Starry, The Grey and a fantastic discovery Portal To The God Damn Blood Dimension). Not only that, but three bands I’ve previously played in (Agvirre, Hundred Year Old Man, and VOW) were included on the first You Matter compilation – a series of charity releases orchestrated by label owner Charlene – so I knew they would be a very cool label to work with, boasting a similar passion for a style of music I adore.

Being a lifelong post-rock fan, I had an inkling that Solars would be right up my street. But I was taken aback by just how refreshing the Birmingham based quartet’s sound and approach to writing is. Solars sit somewhere between two worlds, not being quite as glossy and cinematic as the post-rock I love, but also not being as sludgy and crushing as the post-metal I love either. And this is to take nothing away from what they do. Instead Solars almost have this “classic rock” mindset to them, because they just love riffs and tantalise the listener with so many of them. The energy is often high, the melodicism is strong, the interplay is dynamic, and they never get too carried away into mathy chaos whilst keeping the rhythms varied and wild. The production and mix even has a raw, slightly off-the-cuff quality to it that just sits so well; not too dense, not too textured. Really you just have to listen and enjoy the album to get a proper grasp. I was very curious to see just what my fine journalist contacts would make of this album and whether they would appreciate Solars as much as I do. Spoiler alert: They do!

ACCOLADES
“There is emotion, soaring glistening tremolos and hints of swelling crescendos. But the band fuses their post-rock with heavy metal. Solars are not your average post-rock band.”
~ Veil Of Sound

“Reminding me of Spirit Of Eden-era Talk Talk (albeit far heavier), Solars really capture the essence of nature and paint their sound from a palate of rustic reds, conker browns and burnt yellow.”
~ The Midlands Rocks

“An immersive soundscape, blending post-rock ambiance with post-metal heaviness, offering an evocative and cinematic experience. Each track unfolds like a carefully painted sonic picture.”
~ WherePostRockDwells

FROM THE PRESS KIT
Building from three promising EPs comes SOLARS debut album A Fading Future. Tightly knit from seven blistering and dynamic tracks, Solars present an energetic workout for the ears – a galore of choppy drums, off-kilter rhythms, chunky riffs and textured guitar leads. The Birmingham, UK based instrumental post-rock and metal quartet have crafted a fine tapestry woven from blood, sweat and tears. A fulfilling listen that expertly balances high action musicianship with dreamy and sombre passages, exploring varying levels of looming fear, self-depreciation and personal woe. 

As the title suggests, Solars are critical of times ahead as we move into a civilisation wrought with division, conflict and environmental destruction. Just as crucially, the quartet also express their fears of a society increasingly controlled by technology, artificial intelligence and screens. But A Fading Future isn’t just another Orwellian warning of times to come, as Solars are also looking inwards at their own fears and inner turmoils, turning personal hardships into a force of creativity and catharsis. Though the themes expressed may be heavy, the contrast comes in just how immediate and lively these instrumentals are. Solars burst into life with an explosion of volume, bright textures and wild interplay across these energetic riff workouts.

Released September 6th 2024 through Ripcord Records on Vinyl, CD and Digital.

Photo Credit: Ellis Hudson
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