Spread throughout several locations in the Pacific Northwest, dream pop group
Tears Run Rings
only sporadically come together for in-person sessions or concerts, more often recording in their home studios and virtually trading files.
Everything in the End
is their first album since 2016's
In Surges
, and was created with the thought that it could possibly be the band's final work together. Envisioned as a double album,
cycles through different moods with each of its four sides, although the borders aren't clearly defined when one listens to the album straight through. The band's sound inevitably brings to mind
Slowdive
, but on this album in particular,
TRR
space the songs out and write more nuanced hooks. There are some more immediate moments, such as the jangly yet hazy alternative rock of "Helios Helada," but even these will feature extended outros that let the feelings linger. "XO" matches its lyrics of romantic devotion with an appropriately yearning melody, which is clear and expressive without being melodramatic. "Abandon" is beautifully evocative and mysterious, sauntering in before arriving at a gorgeous chiming guitar bridge, and continuing its divine ascendance. The soft, steady pulse of "Since You've Gone" eloquently expresses the disenchantment of a breakup, elevated by shimmering electronics and sighing backup vocals. "Nothing More" has a glorious wash of guitars, crashing against the slow but persistent drums.
prefer meditative immersion to overwhelming rushes of energy, but their music is still deeply emotive, and
is ultimately a highly rewarding experience. ~ Paul Simpson