Explosions In The Sky : End

Explosions in the Sky have long been one of the supreme purveyors of post rock, a genre of music that relies on mostly wordless exaltations through instrumentals. Sometimes the music is big, widescreen, and heavy with emotional intent. Sometimes the music is as quiet as a whisper, conveying the same emotional depths but through ambient soundscapes. Explosions in the Sky are in the former category.

The Texas-based band builds sonic walls in jangly guitars, brittle keys, and explosive drums, ebbing and flowing between cataclysmic sound and subtle moments of calm. Their music is cinematic and has been used in television and films, most notably in the Friday Night Lights film and television series.

Over the course of 23 years the band has released 7 albums. Their 8th and newest, End, has just been released. It’s yet another big, bold, and thoughtful collection of songs from the Texas quartet. Following 2016s The Wilderness which expanded the band’s sound into electronic territory, End falls back into familiar sonic avenues. Guitars and keys reign supreme, with engaging melodies and big sky contemplation.

Over the course of 7 songs and 45 minutes, Explosions in the Sky recapture the magic that made albums like The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, and Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever such classics. “Ten Billion People” builds from tinkling, electronic notes and the buzzing sustain of an E-bow’d guitar. The song has a wonderfully optimistic vibe and never lets up. Likewise with the beautiful “Moving On”. Chiming guitars, piano, and a driving drum beat lays out a metaphorical highway for us to follow. “Peace Or Quiet” opens subtly but builds to a explosive fuzz guitar coda.

There’s also subtle moments of almost ambient music. “All Mountains”, “The Fight”, and album closer “It’s Never Going To Stop” linger in quieter, reflective moods. More cinematic and comfortable in understated composition, they lock into similar territory the band worked in on their scores for Prince Avalanche and Big Bend.

End deals in metaphorical endings; life, relationships, friendships. Explosions in the Sky capture those feelings, sad and bittersweet, to stunning effect.