Indie-rock band Duster is back at it again with the surprise release of their fifth studio album, “In Dreams.” Surprise albums are new for Duster, and with 13 tracks and a run time of 43 minutes, “In Dreams” seemed to signify another exciting chapter for the band. However, after listening to the album several times, it pains me to say that this assumption is false.
“In Dreams” maintains Duster’s signature haunting melodies and downbeat tracks, but loses itself in an attempt to keep up this aesthetic. By the fourth track, I found myself holding my breath and waiting for the album to be over, an unfortunate shift from my love of their past albums. Throughout the album, Duster experiments with trippy layering that adds a psychedelic feel to the tracks, except this effect never quite reaches its full potential. I found myself getting hopeful at the start of each track, waiting for more; by the end, my expectations were never met. It quickly became repetitive and forgettable, and I can’t even recall the tune of my favorite tracks. I wish I could say I liked this album more, but I just didn’t.
Like Duster’s past albums, “In Dreams” makes you feel a sense of weariness. Tracks like “Quiet Eyes” and “Black Lace” use the downtempo guitar and drums as devices to bring up feelings of dreariness and lethargy. The powerful use of layering and static-like instrumentals is beautiful and artful on its own, yet once again, it falls flat when you consider the album as a whole. Tracks like “Isn’t Over,” “Cosmotransporter,” and “Space Trash” stand out because, while they still have a dreary edge to them, they all have unique mixing that sets them apart from the repetitive depressing guitar and slow drums. By themselves, all of the tracks on this album are enjoyable and well-composed, but the beauty of the individual tracks is lost when bundled together. Most, if not all, of these tracks would be significantly more enjoyable if they were released as standalone singles.
“In Dreams” had a solid foundation to be a beautifully cohesive album with moving underlying themes. However, it fell victim to too much cohesion. There is nothing wrong with striving for a similar aesthetic track-to-track, but “In Dreams” seemed to have lost itself in its attempt to be unique and emotional. The album could have benefitted from more diverse tempos and chords, which, while making the tracks contrast each other, would have brought a new dimension. All in all, each track is enjoyable and well-put-together on its own, but it’s not an album that you sit down and listen through on repeat.
