With over two decades behind them, The Coronas have established themselves as one of Ireland’s biggest Alternative Rock bands. Known for their melodic brand of guitar and piano-driven music that joins Pop and Rock together, when they arrived in 2007 with their debut album Heroes or Ghosts many showed interest. An album that hit 21 on the Irish Charts, and from here momentum only grows. In fact, 2009’s Tony Was an Ex-Con and 2011’s Closer to You made it to 3 on the Irish Charts, while 2014’s The Long Way hit number 2. Damn good right? Well, it gets better… because between 2017’s Trust the Wire and 2022’s Time Stopped, four consecutive Coronas albums hit number 1 on the Irish Charts!
The testament of consistency, their success is partially because of their reputation as a fantastic live band, but also their ability to write exceptionally real songs. Always attaching sincere emotion to their music, their lyrics touch on relationships, introspective looks at individual character flaws, and the struggle to learn from mistakes. Brought together by the genuinely emotional delivery of Guitarist/Vocalist Danny O’Reilly, he, Bassist Graham Knox, and Drummer Conor Egan are a force of nature. Remaining prolific, now in 2024 they return with the eighth overall Coronas album called Thoughts & Observations.
Released on September 27, 2024 through So Far So Good Records, Thoughts & Observations is exactly as the title implies. A bit more sobering than even 2022’s Time Stopped, this new collection of songs takes a deep dive into lost love, seeking reconciliation for prior mistakes, and the undeniable feeling that you may never find someone as special as the one you hurt. Emotions we can all relate to, no one among us has taken someone for granted at some point in our lives. Nothing to be proud of, Thoughts & Observations is not just a self-deprecation pity party; it is a sincere look into one’s self to examine misgivings and how to make good on them not only to recapture someone’s trust but to become a better person.
Again, something relatable, regardless of the situation involving a lover, friend, or family member, shouldn’t we all try and be a bit more appreciative? A lot to get out of a twelve-song collection of highly individually personal feelings sung by O’Reilly, you cannot help but see everything you ever cared about flash before your eyes when listening. Exemplified by fantastic melodies, catchy vocal hooks, and airy production, some big moments unfold with “Speak Up, “Singing Just For You (On Occasion),” “Confirmation,” as well as the hopeful “Unbelievable Scenes.”
Overall, there are a lot of deep-seated regrets brewing within Thoughts & Observations. However, what you take away from it is that while you cannot change the past, you can mindfully plot out an attempt at a better future. Colorful, smooth, and delightfully composed, it is no wonder Thoughts & Observations is the fifth album in a row now from The Coronas to hit number 1 on the Irish Charts. Well worth your time, Cryptic Rock gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment