Bright Like Stars – Reflections

Distance means nothing in the modern world. Technology now has the power to bring us closer than ever before, to be more creative than ever before. Two people who are testament to this are Neil Burkdoll (Whimsical, LoveBlind, Dirty Dead) and Craig Douglas (Neonach, Omega Vague). With Burkdoll moving to Germany and Douglas still Stateside they had to rely on trading files online to record this their debut album under the moniker Bright Like Stars. The two have actually never met in person, never mind been in the same room to record which for me makes the results of their efforts even more extraordinary.

Reflections was recorded with a very deliberate aim in mind. Burkdoll explains.

This sounds like its going to be right up my street. Let’s dive in and see what we have in store.

It’s a heavy doomy riff that opens the album. ‘Ever Fading’ is a hook laden monster that takes me right back. The combination of the melodic vocals with the simple but effective guitar gets this listening experience off to a strong start. I particularly like the switch up in that last minute or so. It mixes things up just enough yet maintains that guitar motif.

‘Star Dust’ up next has these glistening phased guitars that shine throughout, not least when everything stops and they are left glinting in the void for moment. Douglas choosing a harmonised vocal to compliment those guitars and it pays off in buckets. Two tracks in and two very different styles. I can see already what these guys were aiming at.

As if hearing me type that in storms opening single ‘Reeling’. An instant shoegaze classic. The wall of sound here is of epic proportions. Guitar’s wail and soar whilst the bass and drums absolutely thunder. Vocals, this time that hushed and calm delivery those early bands favoured in the scene that celebrates itself. It’s THAT guitar riff though that will bring you back again and again to this one.

There’s a lighter touch on show on ‘The Healing’. This is bringing to mind early Veruca Salt vibes. That crunchy guitar is bold and sweeping, making definite, assured strokes. Douglas lending a softer aesthetic to his delivery which makes that insane guitar solo all the more impactful when it hits. This is big stage stuff and it hits hard.

Next up is, for me, the album stand-out track. ‘The Less You Know’ is a seriously hooky proposition. Everything is an ear worm. The verse melody, the chorus, the guitar motifs. Even the punchy drums. It’s like some lost Hüsker Dü track been transported through time and amplified through Marshall stacks! This song alone is going to win the band a lot of fans.

Keeping that melodic thread going ‘Entangled’ simplifies things down to a single guitar motoring along. This allows Douglas to really step into the spotlight and have fun with some call and response vocals. His harmony vocal is allowed so much more space here and he makes the most of it and delivers a stunning performance.

‘Home’ steps back into that shoegaze world with a really atmospheric guitar pulsing along. Just when you think you know what’s happening they hit you with the most otherworldly chorus. It totally caught me by surprise the first time through and had me punching the air. It’s so rare that songs do that these days so I doubly appreciate it when it does happen.

You’d think that you’re hearing a church organ as Burkdoll plays some reverse guitar at the start of ‘Unaligned’. Don’t be fooled though, the chilled intro suddenly erupts into breakneck drums and guitars like a speed metal song but whatever the shoegaze equivalent is (is there an equivalent?). Vocals are very definitely gaze influenced and the contrast makes for a heady concoction. Have Bright Like Stars created a new genre here? Answers on a postcard.

It’s ‘The End’ next. Not of the album though. We’re leaning more into metal ballad territory for the instrumentation. Coupled with that serene vocal delivery though, we have something very unique. I’m also detecting some goth influence in here too. The icy guitar lines in the quieter passages bring to mind The Cure or The Banshees. It’s how seamlessly blended it all is that makes this yet another joy to the ear.

All too soon the album comes to a close with ‘On the Other Side’. The fuzzy and dark verses erupt into this triumphant ascending chorus melody that lifts your soul and spirits skyward. This is a song that knows its job. Everything works so well together to leave you, as the listener, utterly euphoric and wanting to listen again.

Well, if the band were wanting to keep us guessing from track to track, I’d say mission accomplished, and how. Reflections is a real journey of an album that takes you through a range of emotions, but always upbeat and positive ones. I think it’s worthwhile noting that all instruments on here are played by Burkdoll himself. That alone would be impressive enough but then Douglas brings such range and commitment to his performances and you have a combination that cannot fail to blow your mind. As the nights are drawing in and the days get shorter, I’m glad that the music I listen to is Bright Like Stars.

Reflections will be available to download FOR FREE, yes you read that right, FOR FREE from November 29 on the Bright Like Stars Bandcamp page.

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• Bandcamp