By Keith Walsh
The new album by Astari Nite, titled Resolution Of Happiness, is filled with wonderfully weird and sincere sentiments, against a backdrop of British references, pulsating synths and wailing guitars. Front man Mychael Ghost presents gothic swagger with affections of heartbreak, and the voice of one perhaps too closely acquainted with darkness.
Astari Nite was formed around 2008 when Ghost met drummer Illia Tulloch in the Miami, Florida scene. Apparently sharing affection for tragic bands out of the 80s and 90s, but also for experimental, edgy beats of British art pop, their tunes lean into a darkness that’s ultimately transcended by messages that affirm the value of commemorating events, large and small. There’s lots of noisy guitars in the background, Ghost’s dramatic vocal style, pop rock melodies and progressions, and plenty of juicy synthesizers by Danny Ae who conjures the feeling of 80s sounds from Ultravox, John Foxx and Gary Numan very effectively.
Starting with the opening track, “Double Feature Matinee,” it’s clear that these songs are vehicles for clever, highly imaginative lyrics with a poetic style depicting romance and adventures of self-discovery.
“Let’s get high on space invaders/Perfume contagious/Just you and me, unknown/London Bridge is burning baby/Soulmate will blame me/Just you and me, unknown”
From ‘Double Feature Matinee’ by Astari Nite
The glam element is visible in the stylish vocals as well as the obsession with pleasure and partying. If there’s one fault here, it’s the many references to escapism through partying, for example in “Necessity Meal.” “Tongue Tied Galore,” an atmospheric, raging alt rocker about self-doubt in the aftermath of sordid romance.
“Bowie In Daydreams” names a strong point of inspiration for Astari Nite. “The Inevitable Crocodile” suggests a wrestling against our primal reptilian nature, in a kind of family biography in which an escape to imagination is a reasonable response.
“Mother has dementia/Floating over lakes/Father bragged to Santa/’Be good for goodness sakes/Brother flew for NASA/Lives in outer space/The other blew a million/God found him a place/And there’s a ghost in my bed/Don’t wake me.”
From ‘The Inevitable Crocodile’ Astari Nite
“Ashtray Ballet” depicts a heart broken to the point of regret and apology, the minor keys, darkly distorted guitars and insinuating synths underscoring the sadness. “Cut Here For Dialogue” is an edgy tune with funky guitar in the verse, while “What A Rainbow Feels Like” has a variety of changing sections, from shoegaze guitars in the intro, to the unusual new wave of the verses, then punky metal guitars in the ascending leadup to the anthemic chorus.
“All Else Is A Curse” is perhaps the most mid 80s pop goth song on the album, with the theme of loneliness so effective for that style.
“Light a candle for me, sympathize/And I was scared to leave you then, I was scared/Left me healing scars/Melted on the stars.”
From ‘All Else Is A Curse’ From Astari Nite
Resolution Of Happiness closes with the darkly tranquil and remorseful “We Are Still Siamese.” Lyrically, the album’s strengths are in the introspective lyrics and colorfully imagery, and musically, the sound selection, including razor sharp guitars used in ethereal ways as well as ghostly synthetic textures, and of course Ghost’s glammed presence, all adding up to something special.
Astari Nite Links
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