SOLARS, an instrumental post-metal quartet from Birmingham, UK, has recently unveiled their debut album, A Fading Future, under Ripcord Records. The recent release is marked by the premiere of their latest music video for the title track, “A Fading Future.” Known for their raw, no-frills approach, SOLARS has crafted a visual experience that mirrors the album’s themes of environmental degradation and societal decay.
The video, simple and low-budget, focuses on the band performing in a practice room, with close-ups of their instruments and faces intentionally kept out of frame.
This minimalist approach is interspersed with stock footage depicting the harsh realities of modern lifeโindustrial pollution, congested highways, and plastic-filled oceans. As the music intensifies, the imagery shifts to devastating scenes of Australian forest fires, aligning with the song’s escalating tension and SOLARSโ powerful, chugging guitar riffs.
The Fading Future as a concept is deeply rooted in themes of environmental destruction and the societal challenges we face, echoing throughout the album. The band doesn’t preach but instead leaves space for reflection, much like their expansive, imaginative music. With no lyrics to guide the narrative, SOLARS rely on the power of their instrumentation and carefully curated visuals to provoke thought.
The album is a progression from the band’s three previous EPs, showcasing seven tracks that blend post-rock and metal into a cohesive, dynamic experience. The music is marked by energetic drumming, complex rhythms, and textured guitar work, with moments of both intensity and introspection. Tracks like “Retrograde” and “Doomscrolling” highlight SOLARSโ ability to merge technical prowess with emotional depth, while the title track, “A Fading Future,” provides a more melancholic, yet equally intense, listening experience.
The album opens with “Holocene,” featuring a sample from David Attenborough, where he warns of the imminent dangers facing our civilization. This sets the tone for an album that critiques not only environmental issues but also the rise of technology, artificial intelligence, and the creeping influence of screens on our lives. However, the album is not just an outward critique; it also delves into personal struggles, turning them into a source of creativity and emotional release.
The band lineupโChris Neal on guitar and programming, Keiran Roberts on guitar, Andrew Lee on bass, and Jack Jeffries on drums and samplesโdemonstrates a tight-knit chemistry that is palpable throughout the album. Their music is a blend of choppy drums, frenetic riffs, and groove-laden bass lines, offering a dynamic and fulfilling listening experience.
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The Fading Future was produced and engineered by Steve Knight and SOLARS at Access Creative College in Birmingham, with mixing and mastering also handled by Knight. The albumโs artwork, created by Tara Hobley, and band photography by Ellis Hudson, further encapsulate the album’s themes and aesthetic.
