CD Review: Brighter Than a Thousand Suns - "Flux"

Airy, atmospheric and at times ambient, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns latest EP offering Flux is lush, vibrant and layered, reminiscent of Circa Survive meets Siouxsie and the Banshees. Opener “Fearless” is the best song 30 Seconds to Mars never wrote, a synth drenched thumper that would easily be the best track on any other record. “Vessels” is a hit thanks to mountainous guitars and an absolutely explosive hook, while frontwoman Angelika Roswell’s vocals soar so high on “Suffering Is Not Enough” that soaring might not be enough of an adjective. These vocals reach heights that would make Anthony Green smile. Her powerful vocals transverse the serene, atmospheric sonicscapes of Flux, whose song structures are immaculate with equally as brilliant hooks to boot. Closer “We Stopped Dreaming” is captivating and entrancing, which speaks to the magnitude of Brighter Than a Thousand Suns’ engulfing penchants. Flux manages to offer a tip of the cap to its sonic predecessors while maintaining a forward-thinking lean. It's a damn shame that this album is so criminally short but, as every good EP should, it leaves listeners wanting more. Flux is near flawless.

Grade: A

Go Download: “Vessels”