STARSET | Divisions | Album Review

Starset is one of many breakout rock bands coming from the 2010s that have managed to become a household name over the last five years. Most rock bands that gain success are basic in form, following a radio structure that is easy to take in from music listeners. With Starset, the project by mastermind Dustin Bates, there is much more delivered in their sound than just catchy hooks and a rock radio structure. Space is pretty much in Starset's DNA at this point, and the outfits they adorn onstage aren't just used for attention or a gimmick. In a genre filled with bands that utilize the gimmick angle to sucker fans in, here is a band where the themes and the concepts behind the music go way further and solidify the identity of the band. After two highly successful albums, and a side project named MNQN created by Bates, the third transmission from Starset is being received by fans under the name "Divisions". The band's first official venture as a new signee to Fearless Records, the concept behind the 57 minute album doesn't stray too far off from the concepts of the band's prior releases, but also is derived from Dustin Bates' fictional premise focusing on a dystopian future that is consumed by technology to the point where it is being misused. That is a very interesting take on the whole "humans vs tech" theme that many bands have utilized in the past, and it's interesting to see an ambitious band like Starset tackle this theme for a majority of an album's runtime. With all of the backstory behind the band and how monumental their sound is, it's a given that any idea can work extremely well. 

The album, of course, begins with a short intro, this one being titled "A Brief History Of The World". What mainly separates this track from the other two intro tracks they've kicked off with is there is a more prominent focus on narration here. It is not the best they've ever done in terms of intros but it still works to set up the theme and the style found on "Divisions". The first official single from the album, "Manifest" comes next on the tracklist. Released a month before the full album, "Manifest" is an example of a multitude of styles coming together, mainly the hard rock side and the electronic side. The verses feature more of the pop fixture to them but this works well to compliment the louder chorus and the heavier sections of the song, including guitarwork that carries characteristics of a progressive metal/djent song. It's a good mix, and Dustin Bates' delivery is solid throughout. It's interesting though because "Manifest" is polarizing in a way. Some fans weren't too keen of the pop direction in the verses, meanwhile other fans (like myself) were warmer to it as far as how it combines different styles. The second single from the album, "Where The Skies End", is more traditional Starset territory, so the consensus was a bit more streamlined and straight-forward. It's a lengthy track that includes an interlude at the end, a normal trope when it comes to Starset and their albums. Both songs work in excellent hooks that sell the songs and also have some good writing attached to them, using space references throughout each. It's proof that Starset are forward thinking in their experiments while not disregarding their identity. 

Over the course of this album, there are other tracks that display more elements being brought together to make a fantastic experience. Both the electronic and rock styles come together in a beautiful fashion on "Divisions", reminiscent of various other bands along the way but not trying to be a generic copycat and rather making something that is truly their own. Tracks like "Echo", "Waking Up", and "Perfect Machine" feature catchy hooks and amazing writing that hits perfectly every time. Continuing that pace in a heavier fashion are tracks like "Other Worlds Than These" and "Telekinetic", which continue the kinesis this album succeeds with. The latter track is also noticeable for the bridge where you hear Dustin Bates' successful attempt at some aggressive growls with abrasive riffs that add to the intensity without feeling out of place. It's really tracks like "Trials", "Echo", "Solstice", "Faultline", and the album closer "Diving Bell" that prove that this album is worth listening to. "Echo" is one of the best songs I've heard all year hands down. This is an example of a band succeeding at writing amazing hooks while excelling substantially with the musical and lyrical elements. The drum performance on "Solstice", especially in the verses, is phenomenal and creates a very satisfying rhythm that you want to replay again and again, with the instrumental also adding to that. "Faultine" has another instantly captivating groove to it along with having mostly well written lyrics as the entire song feels massive. The closer "Diving Bell" appropriately turns the volume down with softer electronic elements mixed with orchestral pieces and a gargantuan conclusion. The interlude juxtaposed at the end of this track in particular is interesting as well. There is so much on this album to please fans it's insane. 

This album isn't exactly perfect even though it is a must for every fan who is even the slightest bit intrigued by this band. In particular, the track "Other Worlds Than These" does include some pitchshifted vocals that do take me out of the song every now and then. The verses and choruses are still great here, so it's not as big of a loss. Some of the interludes tied to the end of the tracks that have them could have been trimmed a bit as it does seem excessive to a certain point. A stark contrast from their other albums where the interludes were used wisely. However, this isn't very much in terms of flaws and Starset keeps getting better and better with each album they release. "Divisions" is essential music listening and even though fans may not like the more pop-centered styles found in some sections of these songs, the entire experience is worth taking apart of and there are tracks such as "Echo" and "Solstice" that are instantly alluring to people who may come across them. Overall, "Divisions" is Starset's best album to date. It's another ambitious and massive album from the space rockers from Columbus, Ohio and it fires on all cylinders throughout every track. Fans of the first two albums will enjoy the material this album has to offer, meanwhile fans who are a bit unsure of what they'll think will still manage to find a couple of things to appreciate about the experience. The latest initiation from The Starset Society proved to be a successful and universe-sized one indeed, and now it's only a matter of what new galaxies they'll travel to from here. 

RATING: 8/10 

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