CD Reviews

Vague Lanes - Divergence and Declaration

March 2025

Swiss Dark Nights / Viasonde

Dark wave duo Vague Lanes returns with their second album, "Divergence and Declaration"!

Vague Lanes is calling the listener into an introspective trip to their cold post-punk, gloomy electronics and dark soundscapes. The San Francisco Bay Area dark wave duo returns with the all new "Divergence and Declaration", two years and three months after their exceptional full-length debut, "Foundation and Divergence". 

While remaining focused on the deep and solid sounds of the bass originated extensive sound the duo manages to adopt and merge what seems to be their main influences. "Divergence and Declaration" features their signature two-bass configuration, with Mike Cadoo (Gridlock) handling the melodic six-string duties. At the same time, Badger McInnes (Here We Burn) propels the music forward with his low-end four-string. But these are already well recognized since their debut work. This time the duo expnds their sound palette going further into mixing with style the darkest moments of the shoegaze soundtrack with cold industrial beats and melodic strings and arpeggios. Above these elements stands the intense vocals of Mike Cadoo.

"Divergence and Declaration" kicks off with raw dark and electro storm in the opening track, "Heptahedron", where we also find the bouncing drums by Martin Atkins (P.I.L., Ministry, Killing Joke). In "By Dusk" the theme goes into colder pathways while the distortions that follows the intro part give a heavier but still emotional view of the duo. Until the sound attack that comes in 02:45. Reaching the lines where goth and gaze meet. "Cellophane" comes in, to let some light in with the shimmering synths and the dreamy riffs which now makes even more obvious the shoegaze temper.

"Unraveling" hits hard from the first note with its strong beat. The powerful first hits are followed by sharp riffs, dark keys and the baritone lyricism in the voice of Cadoo. An intense and balanced tone between cold and dark waves that goes deep into goth and electro lines. "Eight Winters" is a walk through melancholia and depression with its slow tempo and the heavy bass line which creates a sense of bleakness. A strong reference into Vague Lanes' Cocteau-esque way of instrumentation. The introspection goes even deeper in the "Weight Of Days" and its effort to find the "cure" through the somber rhythm that it is being finalized with intense synth pads. "At The Edge" returns to the light with its gaze riffs and driving synths. "Divergence and Decoration" is closing with "Exo" which could be the third part of the darkest and most Cure-esque parts of the album. "Exo", however, differs form the others as its concept depicts the "inevitable melancholia brought out by the parent/child, mentor/mentee relationship".

The second full length "Divergence and Declaration" by the experienced duo of Vague Lanes it is a great step forward for them, solidifying their place in the modern post-punk. A haunting exploration into the dark paths of post-punk. Mike Cadoo and Badger McInnes use the strong elements and the minimalist, brooding aesthetics of their debut, and delves deeper into themes of disillusionment and slothfulness. Strong and cold basslines, icy and dark synth and guitar textures intertwine with deep, melancholic vocals, creating an introspective and gloomy atmosphere.

Info:

https://vaguelanes.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/vaguelanes/

https://www.youtube.com/@vaguelanes

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