"Something Beautiful" by Luna Kiss
ReviewThe release this morning of "Something Beautiful", the latest Luna Kiss single, not only evidences the hard work the band have been putting in & the consequent run of top class releases in 2022, but also a confirmation that the shift away from the gory & macabre of "Operate" and "Lust For Blood" seen with "All On Me" (which we reviewed in May) is continuing….. this is not a one dimensional band.
Again we are invited into the world of interpersonal relationships & as with most things with which the band concern themselves, they are most interested in the extremes of the emotional spectrum. Thus we are getting a break up song from the viewpoint of someone who mourns the end of (you guessed it) "something beautiful" yet self aware enough to recognise some sort of fundamental flaw in that state of affairs as he acknowledges it as "the best mistake that (he) ever had". And it's these tensions which make for convincing songs isn't it?
Another attention attracting anthem which Luna Kiss specialises in, "Something Beautiful" raises the bar I think in terms of unexpected musical twists & sudden shifts: again a group characteristic but demonstrated here maybe more than ever.
The band have gone for something which even by their standards they consider to be "..high energy, very rock and roll but also blending more punk.." which I certainly can discern (though frankly the general level of Luna Kiss songs is at the top end of energy anyway: that's part of their allure to audiences) though fascinatingly they also included emo themes in the composition: I had to play the song again to understand this aspect.
In fact the overall impression is one of a certain defiance in the face of the situation where "..you go in all guns blazing anyway.." despite the odds or any likelihood of success. It's a statement of not being easily beaten and "..that "middle finger up" to those who bring you down.. If it pays off, brilliant. If it doesn't, well at least we caused some mayhem in the meantime."
All this passion necessarily places demands on Wil's vocals which rise to the occasion & are accompanied by one of the few savage guitar solo segments in this recent series of releases: again that's interesting as you might consider it another band trademark, but they seem to be holding this sort of thing back to increase its power & not let it become weakened by over-deployment.
What is particularly interesting is that although the fourth released in this recent run, it was the first they really completed & so enabled them to "..define the tone, mood and energy for the other songs. We went back and revisited the other tracks after discovering the personality in this one."
And that little phrase is perhaps, intentionally or subconsciously, a useful key to getting your mind around "Something Beautiful". It has personality in spades. Musically it's outside simple genres & the attitude it displays is pretty in your face. However lesser bands can (and do) fake attitude all the time (it's often quite funny to hear them at it) but can you fake personality? I think not.