Album Review: We Lost The Sea – Triumph & Disaster

Let’s establish something loud and clear: We Lost The Sea are never going to repeat the sounds or scope of previous album Departure Songs – and they shouldn't try. Their celebrated third LP came out of tragedy (the band’s former vocalist Chris Torpy passed away in 2013), resulting in a beautifully cathartic record. 

This time around, on their highly anticipated follow-up Triumph & Disaster, the band have gone into the studio with a far sharper sense of focus and the final result sounds more collected and consistent.

There are moments of heaviness here not explored by the band since the Crimea days, with the opening combo of Towers and early highlight A Beautiful Collapse plummeting to crushing depths. However, more dynamic cuts like Dust and Distant Shores show off the band's restraint. 

Closing with the vulnerable track Mother's Hymn, featuring Louise Nutting on vocals, Triumph & Disaster floats away effortlessly, a welcome moment of respite. Equal parts tender and turbulent, this is indeed a triumphant follow-up.