Seahaven – Reverie Lagoon: Music for Escapism Only

4.5/5

Reverie Lagoon is a record I never expected. In fact, I’m not even sure why I first listened to it. Seahaven has never played a huge role in the indie or punk scenes, rather settling for a back catalog of Brand New influence, challenging vocal delivery and overall mixed reception. Something about Reverie Lagoon was different.

Perhaps it was the ridiculous (albeit awesome) album title; perhaps it was the way its cover art fit with it almost perfectly, or the way Tym, from Some Stranger (formerly of Daytrader), spoke about it with such excitement.

No matter the reason, Seahaven managed to fly under my radar leading up to Reverie Lagoon’s release, and had I not given it a chance, I may never have forgiven myself, because Seahaven has surprised us all by releasing one of the strongest albums of 2014.

Trading in jagged punk rhythms and tone-deaf screaming for a softer, smoother sound, Reverie Lagoon feels like less an album and more an experience for both band and listener. Frontman Kyle Soto’s vocals haven’t so much improved as they are more fitting this way, gliding alongside the breezy melodies of “Silhouette (Latin Skin)” and “Love to Burn.” The music is as close to a complete departure as they come, with only standout “Wild West Selfishness” and “Flesh” attempting to revisit the band’s roots.

There are orchestral songs (“Fifty-Four”), moments reminiscent of acts such as Bon Iver and Death Cab for Cutie, and even a breathtaking piano-ballad (“Solar Eclipse”). The lyrics are introspective and refreshing: “Tell me you’ve found your way home/Tell me it’s peaceful/Tell me you know where I go/Tell me it ends well,” croons Soto on the record’s introduction.

Despite anything I may say about Reverie Lagoon, I find myself continuously attracted to its cover art. Images of the beach on a rainy day flood my mind as I let the album sink in, perfect for so many occasions throughout a dreary spring. Over the span of 14 tracks and close to an hour of original music, many listeners will find themselves sinking into emotional undertones of the album, from the surprisingly upbeat (“Andreas”) to the downright ominous (“Whispers”). I would highly encourage you to see if you are one of them, lest you miss out on one of the best albums of 2014.

Key Tracks: “Silhouette (Latin Skin),” “Whispers,” “Solar Eclipse”

For Fans of: Brand New, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie