Some songs on the album keep their foot on the neck of tension throughout; no resolution, just alternating shades of purple and puce. Elsewhere we’re allowed to breathe, and perhaps even wiggle – see the beat and bassline on 'Papa Nine Zero Delta United', which throb in a manner not wildly dissimilar from The Cure circa 'A Forest'.
"Shadow of Fear" is full of moments where Kirk drags the past into the present, updating a template he is primarily responsible for building in the first place. It’s akin to a long-dormant volcano shooting out a mix of choking pyroclastic flows and luridly bright lava: fascinating to observe from a distance, pretty terrifying the closer you get. Which makes "Shadow of Fear" one of the most welcome surprises of the year. Go ahead and mark your calendar for 2046 already.
