This album took so long to click with me, but once it did, man alive, what a spellbinding and beautiful record.

Aes as our great observer poet, reminding all of us to pause, to witness beauty in the mundane, whether that is a chimney full of birds, black plums or the nostalgic memory of someone giving you a piece of art to love, without no other motive than of appreciation. Appreciation for the little moments.

Graveyards, suicidal motorcyclists, a donut shop refuge for lost men, near deaths, animal deaths, and a steadfast refusal to eat your beans, yep this is Aes' darkest album.

Life affirming, soul healing, and heart restructuring. Incredible indie anthems for broken youths and wayward loners. A lengthy album but after a listen you'll be aching to listen to those opening piano notes once again.

Ok debut, Magnolia is a great tune but man, this album is worth a listen just to acknowledge the massive leap forward in quality 'Go Farther in Lightness' was.

Not since The Octopus has Amplifier managed to create something monolithic and grand is passing through your ears, until Gargantuan came along.

Aes is stellar as always here, it's just the collabs that don't work as much for me, with the exception of John Darnielle's one.

An album about a messy breakup that is probably more powerful if you've been through a similar situation akin to this one.

One of those albums that just contains something intangible, a magic you can't trace to a particular facet, a nature that feels both out of time and eternal.

Doesn't quite scratch that itch that the trilogy in the 2010s did, but there are quite a few standout moments.

Mars Volta's most enigmatic, moody, and hypnotic record.

A discoball spinning around in a septic tank, that feeling of bugs underneath your skin, I dunno how Fat White Family does it, as I am still new to the band, but these guys manage to create something incredibly unique and unforgettable out of quite normal structures and songs, but, that's only what's on the surface. What's underneath is a sly handshake, a mischievous smile, and a surprising intelligence that drags you down to depravity, and I love it.

Listened to the full deluxe version. The extra songs seem canon to me, they sure don't sound like the supposed demos that they are.

Love Merz's music. She has the voice of winter to me, her atmosphere is so inviting and engrossing in so much that she does. The Love Song on here makes me emotional every time I hear it.

Insipid

Overblown and didn't need all of the interludes, but there are some incredible Sufjan hits on here, Neptune, Mercury and Pluto being my favourites.

Ring them bells, for freedom has indeed come and gone.

One of the bleakest and most oppressive albums I've ever heard, but the songs are so incredible. There is no hope to be found here, but if you're looking for that kind of feeling in music, look no further.

This is what Tool sounds like to people who don't like Tool. Underwhelming, lazy, self indulgent, no hooks, Maynard sounding like he could care less, I could go on.

Vastly overhated.