Following the band's 2024 release "/// LIGHT," was a narrative exploration of humanity's fleeting search for meaning - whereas its stark counterpart "DARK ///" shifts focus to the immovable obstacles in our way. Across its sprawling, atmospheric soundscapes, the record confronts the weight of mental health struggles, the silent toll of undiagnosed conditions, the futility of power against tyranny, and the desperate but faltering attempts to find solace in chaos. "Where "/// LIGHT" searched for illumination, "DARK ///" is about all the walls we crash into along the way," the band explains. "It's isolation, despair, collapse—and the fractures in ourselves and our societies that we can't escape."

"An Infant Wave in a Savage Ocean" is the first of eight songs. The opening mood is tense, and somewhat somber. You can feel someone trying to break through, but there are too many landmines in their path. "Black Giraffes" is another shadowy and dark offering that features spoken words within the music. You can feel layers built along the way, and it gradually heightens your sense of awareness. It rises up, but levels off, and retreats back into the dark. "URBNDCY" has a more straightforward sound, and could even be characterized as jovial at times. You get the sense that the first major barriers in your life were able to be moved aside. There is still a tone of urgency to the music, however, as if the hourglass is running out of sand, but just let the warm tones wash over you and forget about what has to be done.

"The Heurist" is a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that allows people to make decisions and solve problems quickly, though not always perfectly. It move slowly, even gently at times, with piano notes, and you can hear his regret as he struggles with taking the easy way out of a complex problem that required more thought. "Every Beam of Light is an Invitation to Death" for me is a corollary for the old adage of "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." It's a slow mover, with plenty of melancholy tones. "Distraction Tactics" are those techniques we might use to get us through a difficult time…anything that avoids the truth. Deep down, however, we know that monster isn't going away. You can find your way around it for a long as possible, but the somber tones serve as a reminder that it's still there.

"Turn out the /// Light" is the final song. Oddly, it might be the most cheerful song on the album. That is, until the harsh vocals tear in and rip everything to shreds. The overall message however is poignant: "We search for distraction, from the end in sight. Don't turn out the light, don't turn out the light. We walk hand in hand into the night." Without vocals to easily guide your way, you are going to have to dig in deeper and feel the music they present. Although much of the album reveled in tones of grey and even black at times, the closing message is a plea to break down as many barriers as possible on your way through this journey we call life. I haven't heard any album that moved me on an emotional level as this one did, nor one where the song titles were so perfectly matched with the music.