Track List
1. Wheat In The Fields (5:18)
2. Ethereal Soldier Part 1 (2:16)
3. Darkest Night (3:13)
4. Waiting In Airports (6:08)
5. Ethereal Soldier Part 2 (1:08)
6. All The Way (9:09)
7. Ethereal Soldier Part 3 (2:55)
8. This Fragile Peace (3:00)
9. The Unknown Unknowns (6:49)
The album explores themes of disconnection and the human struggle to make sense of the world's evils. This Fragile Peace opens with "Wheat in the Fields," which starts strong but soon becomes a bit of a chaotic blend of ideas vying for attention. While the musicianship is impressive, the track feels disjointed. Things take a turn for the better with the ethereal "Ethereal Soldier Pt 1," a spacey, ambient piece anchored by ghostly vocals and lush guitar work. It's trippy yet grounded, offering a glimpse of the album’s potential.
The bluesy "Darkest Night" shifts gears with a smoldering, laid-back feel, carried by John Simms’ sublime guitar playing. The track transports you to a smoky jazz club, dripping with atmosphere. The album truly finds its groove here. The first single, "Waiting at Airports," has a touch of 80s electro-pop, merged with psychedelic and free-spirited energy. Maxine Marten’s laid-back vocals, along with the keyboard and guitar jam, enhance the track’s relaxed, mind-altering vibe.
"Ethereal Soldier Pt 2" is a brief, soothing interlude of acoustic guitar, providing a calm before the extended journey of "All the Way." This nine-minute track blends funky, edgy, and spacey progressive rock, taking you on a winding mental journey. At times, it gets lost in its own improvisation, but the overall effect is an intriguing fusion of jazz, prog, and psychedelic rock.
A standout moment comes with "Ethereal Soldier Pt 3," which offers a tranquil, almost celestial experience, highlighted by John Simms’ delicately played guitar. The title track, "This Fragile Peace," has an Americana flavor, paired with a spoken vocal that evokes a cinematic, Tarantino-esque vision of small-town America. Its meandering pace feels aimless yet satisfyingly so.
The closing track, "The Unknown Unknowns," is the most direct and unembellished on the album, stripping back the psychedelic elements in favor of a more industrial, rhythmic sound. Its upbeat, infectious energy, paired with stellar guitar work, makes for a strong finish.