Ian McCuen- As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls
Buffalo singer-songwriter Ian McCuen combines bedroom folk with jazzy synth pop in their latest album, As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls. Highlighting their personal struggle with understanding the socio-political state of the world, each of the 22 tracks speaks to a different emotion. From capitalistic nature to grief and search for individuality, this record has something for everyone.
Track one, “The Overture,” sets the overall tone with a haunting instrumental. It is unsettling and anxiety-inducing in a way that horror films have perfected and wonderfully portrays the turmoil expressed in later tracks. In addition to “The Overture,” nine other tracks act as ‘tone-shifters.’’ These instrumentals divide the album based on feeling and topic – going from unsettling depth (see “Indoctrinated, Propagandized”) to contemplative closure (see “Outerlude” and “Encore”) – with a unique utilization of piano, acoustics, Omnichord, and many others.
The first lyrics are seen in track two, “Crime & Punishment (in the Land of the Free),” accompanied by a brassy fanfare. It wraps up in a satirical way, reminding the listener that despite everything listed, America is still referred to as “the Land of the Free”. This theme of nationalistic rhetoric recurs in track 13, “Fear & Loathing (in the Home of the Brave).”
McCuen proves they do not shy away from taboo subjects in this record. Instead, they pinpoint the political within the personal. Their commentary on the state of not only the U.S., but the entire world shows inevitable nihilism. These ideas only progress with wordy tracks like “A Fairy Tale for the Obedient” and “Life is a Performance and Reviews Are Down,” which discuss conforming to the masses and submitting to authority with no questions.
Questions surrounding morality and life’s meaning also rise with this record. In “At the Burial (Requiem in D Flat),” McCuen depicts the grieving process in a gorgeously tragic way. They bring forth the very real questions that come with losing a loved one, as well as the morbid fascination with dying.
The album closes with a few songs based on personal identity (see “At a Shrine (Vigil in B Flat Major”; “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World”; and “A Swan Song for Quittin’ Time”). McCuen opens up about inner turmoil, detailing the concept of existence. The final lyrics fade into the last track with applause for this incredible story before finalizing with an instrumental that encapsulates closure.
“I’m watching the end grow closer anyhow
So I might as well end it all now
But maybe there’s no need to hear the swan song I rehearsed for years?
Yeah, maybe something better is in store?
Just in case I’ll stick around for the encore”
As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls is available for streaming on Bandcamp. Or, add it to your cinematic playlist on Apple Music or Spotify!
Categorised in: Buffalo
This post was written by Raigan Martinez