Some bands feel a need to reinvent themselves every once in a while, and for Sea Power, all it took was to lop the "British" off the first part of their name. Though the reason behind the change was a desire to separate themselves from a rising tide of toxic nationalism in Great Britain, the result seems to have also put a spring in their step. While their more recent catalog includes releases where they scored a documentary film (2013's From the Sea to the Land Beyond), penned music for a video game (2021's Disco Elysium), and re-interpreted their songs with the help of a brass band (2015's Sea of Brass), 2022's Everything Was Forever is a powerfully effective summation of what they do best: making music that that's long on thunder and atmospherics, and built on a melodic foundation of widescreen grandeur. Everything Was Forever has all of that, and it also rocks -- "Transmitter" has a tough, throbbing pulse and some gnarly guitar to go along with the massed vocal choruses, "Doppelganger" is a speedy charge through a cloud of well-focused anger, and "Two Fingers" offers some high-grade energetic snark as they play on the multiple meanings of the titular expression. Not everything here has that level of punch, but even when Sea Power settle into a midtempo number, this music is full of life and purpose, and as they contemplate living in a nation and a world where much is in chaos and little is what it once was, they summon a courage and vision that's eloquent. Musically, Sea Power have never been afraid to think big, and Everything Was Forever sounds as big as anyone could hope, but it isn't excessive -- the layers of sound each have a purpose, and the pieces fit together with the intelligence and precision of a chamber orchestra. Sea Power have been one of the most interesting U.K. acts to emerge since the dawn of the new millennium, and Everything Was Forever not only shows they're still in strong form, it's as bold and inspired as their best work. If you're going to make an album to kick off your new brand, this is just the way to do it.
© Mark Deming /TiVo