STORM ORCHESTRA: Get Better (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With “Get Better,” Storm Orchestra continues its rise to prominence without trying to reinvent everything. Two years after a solid debut album, the trio refines its approach: angular, tense, effective rock that doesn't forget catchy choruses or the desire to vary the mood. An album that is both immediate and a little more open, where the band explores its two extremes without denying its roots.

The opening tracks, “Bright Soul” and “Drummer,” serve as a reminder: fast tempo, direct riffs, a well-honed formula. But very quickly, the band takes pleasure in injecting other elements: a hint of industrial (“We Will Be the Last”), a nod to hardcore (“Crush the Mirrors”), and even a breath of French with “Désolé.” These touches are welcome, even if they don't always suffice to create real breaks. The whole remains coherent, but sometimes lacks a track that really stands out, a more memorable moment.

The work on the atmospheres, vocal textures, and rhythmic placements is evident, with a few careful arrangements that reveal a desire to go further. Some tracks, such as “Our Victory,” attempt a more progressive form without losing sight of the impact. Others, such as “Superplayer,” rely on more playful gimmicks to vary the pleasures. The listening experience is fluid, rhythmic, never heavy—which is already an achievement in itself.

While the album gains in mastery, it can also give the impression of a band still in the process of construction. The influences are clear (Muse, Nothing But Thieves, Biffy Clyro, etc.) but sometimes too obvious, to the point of momentarily overshadowing the trio's own identity. A few risks could have been pushed further, as if the desire to do everything right slightly held back their uniqueness.

What remains is a solid, well-thought-out album, driven by a genuine desire to move forward. “Get Better” marks an undeniable progression in terms of production and structure, while hinting at further potential. Storm Orchestra has produced a meticulous album that is on an upward trajectory without quite taking flight yet. The next step is within reach; all that remains is to take it. - Official website

STORM ORCHESTRA

GET BETTER

MASCOT LABEL GROUP

ROCK