The enigmatic Norwegian-British post-punk band Permafrost returns with their latest album The Light Coming Through, marking a significant chapter in their decades-spanning career. Known for their icy, melancholic soundscapes reminiscent of Joy Division and The Cure, Permafrost delivers a chilling and introspective journey through themes of loss, despair, and fragile hope.
Formed in the early ’80s in Molde, Norway, by Frode Heggdal Larsen and Kåre Steinsbu, the band has undergone various transformations, both musically and in its lineup. With the addition of Robert Heggdal and Daryl Bamonte—whose previous work with Depeche Mode and The Cure adds a layer of depth to their sound—Permafrost has evolved into a force that blends classic post-punk vibes with a modern sensibility.
Their new album The Light Coming Through, out today, is a true testament to that journey, and we’re honored to give you its first listen below.
Opening with an instrumental track, the album sets the tone immediately. The urgency builds slowly, immersing us in the album’s dark, atmospheric world.
From there, Femme Fatale follows—a song that is far from the Velvet Underground classic of the same name. It introduces a big, infectious hook, making it an obvious choice for a single and a memorable start to the album. Interestingly, the song is named after a bicycle, a quirky detail that contrasts with its haunting sound.
The thematic depth continues with Care, a song about the pain of emotional hurt and the struggle to recover. It showcases a softer side of Permafrost while retaining the propulsive energy that defines much of their work. Come Back to Surprise, a love-gone-wrong track, is perhaps the closest the band comes to a ballad, blending melancholy with restrained beauty.
In a stark contrast, Lights Out tackles more philosophical territory, exploring ideas around transmigration and the mystery of existence. The intensity reaches new heights with Wrong Heart, a track that went through several iterations before the band landed on its final danceable form.
The accompanying video shows a group of young girls making a music video in the Norwegian wilderness, playfully underscoring the song’s darker themes. As the band puts it: “In another dimension, Permafrost could be a girl band… but all their hard work ends with the song finishing before they can even start playing.”
Perhaps the most politically charged track on the album, Restore Us acts as a rallying cry for those who feel disenfranchised, while Hourglass offers a dystopian hymn, blending sorrow with the urgency of a world teetering on the edge. The driving rhythms of Closed Eyes provide an identifiable hook as it conveys humanity’s rush towards the abyss—yet the song retains a glimmer of hope that this trajectory can still be changed.
The album closes with Ultimo August, a tender farewell to someone lost too soon. It brings the journey to a poignant end, much like the closing of summer that the song symbolically represents.
Permafrost has crafted an album that marries dark, synth-infused post-punk instrumentation with deeply introspective and, at times, political lyrics. The Light Coming Through offers listeners a space to reflect on personal and global struggles while maintaining a sense of cautious optimism.
