Savoir Adore - The Love That Remains

Savoir Adore has carved out quite the niche for itself with its self-proclaimed "fantasy-rock". The Brooklyn duo is back with their third full-length album, The Love That Remains. The album shows the stretches of their own genre aren't quite that extensive, but does offer a fun listen full of sweet synths and bright chords.

The music scene of Brooklyn requires originality for a band to stick out. Savoir Adore definitely has their own flair; it's a blend of things you've heard before that accumulate into a new fresh sound. Listening to the dreamy synths in 'Savages' give you a sweet vibe while the bright acoustic guitar that hide behind the electronics in the verses of many tracks give this album a fresh, feel-good vibe. 'Giants' brings the anthemic side of the album in, with huge choruses with the sound of a thousand vocal lines and huge bass to bring the chorus that much more punch. The second verse brings some slap bass into the mix too, which is always a nice touch. 'Paradise Gold' is the heart of the album, with groovy verses with layers of sound leading into choruses of pure bliss, where guitar and electronics become one in arpeggiated greatness. It's like if Purity Ring had guitars.

Despite the great feel of the album, there isn't much that stands out. 'Paradise Gold' is such an amazing track, but there's nothing else quite like it on the album. Nothing feels quite as immense or, perhaps, as pure as that song. There are shining moments throughout the album - the guitar in the intro of 'Crowded Streets', for example - but nothing is as spot-on in its entirety as 'Paradise'. It's a very safe sounding record, as if the band didn't want to stray from the formula of their brand. There's a lot of sweet percussion that finds its way into certain tracks, but those don't save the songs as a whole. The last track feels downright uninspired, forget following the formula. 'Night Song' literally chants "This is our last song, this is the last one..." Where did it all go wrong? They played it too safe with this record.

Savoir Adore made an enjoyable record, but nothing provocative. It's disappointing, really - I wish there were more song with replay value than just one star track. It's by no means a bad record, but it's safe. Too safe. "Fantasy rock" is something not a lot of artists can claim they dabble in - Savoir Adore can take it anywhere they want. The question is, will they?

Favorite Track: Paradise Gold

Least Favorite Tracks: Night Song, Beautiful Worlds

Rating: 68 / 100