Dark Ear is quite an ear-pleaser, brimming with energy and musical ideas that come together quite cohesively… not something that can be said for every track on the record though.

High 8.

Treat Em Right touches —with a deterministic perspective— on issues of prison and arrests, government treatment, and societal classes. In all honesty, it comes across as somewhat preachy, and the “treat ’em like a prostitute” line undermines the messages as well. Instrumentally, this is another cut with highly interesting sonics, production elements and quirky composition. The ideas don’t get in the way of each other all that much, achieving another off-kilter albeit coherent song.

Mid 8.

Wrong Animal Right Trap actually does leave me scratching my head. It’s completely all over the place — and although it does so in a charismatic way, it is undeniably inconsistent.

Mid 5.

Tough Towns is —lyrically— quite a heartfelt critique of the USA’s tendency for self-centeredness and their ability to “gentrify (…) in an acoustic song”, as the song calls it. It also ponders if all habitats are predisposed to follow this same path. Audibly, it’s another point that’s admirable due to the musical ability with which the ideas are conceived. However, it’s once again quite saturated and not all that focused.

Low 6.

Hate On is a more laid-back cut that manages to achieve quite a calming and enveloping soundscape for the first half, and a more enjoyably explorative second half. Additionally, it does this in a way that doesn’t break the ambience established throughout the track.

Mid 7.

Mr Mistake: here, the song’s subject seems to be someone with issues of drug abuse and greed. Additionally, they seem to boast a considerable amount of power — one which when misused leads to the “death” of others, and an eventual “nuclear winter”. Thematically, it could be a more fleshed out and likeable continuation of “Treat Em Right”. This track is another that can be called well put together and focused. Personally, however, it’s quite peppy and uppity — although not to an overly offensive extent.

Low 8.

Shellshot has the catchiest hook of the record, and it’s indeed quite an intoxicating one; in fact, the bridge features what could arguably be called a second hook — another really enjoyable one mind you. Unfortunately —for some reason— every member of the band seemingly decided to add a different section and/or motif on top of it, which waters the song down; although it’s only mildly done so.

High 7.

At Your Service has surprising structure, and quite an impressive chemistry between all the arrangements, the contrasting verses, and the hook — all of which make up this fantastic musician-idea-collage.

Low-Mid 9.

Non Babylon is absolutely shocking in how weirdly it is put together. It’s an absolute shipwreck from start to finish; one that is still worth listening to though, mainly due to its eccentricity and panning-heavy vocal production.

High 7.

Fame II: The Wreckoning ends the record in a bit of a lull: t’s way too leisurely built up, and the breakdown is somewhat tame and short, especially in the context of this record. It’s a slightly lacklustre song, although its last leg is quite enjoyable.

Low 7.