Album Review: Lost in Kiev – Persona (Pelagic Records)

Parisian meta-post-rock outfit Lost in Kiev finally return with their long-awaited 3rd album and most astounding work to date, Persona. It will be released on the 26th April 2019 via Pelagic Records.

“”The main challenge with this record was how to write more direct and shorter post rock tracks with the same intensity as our previous, longer compositions“, guitarist Maxime Ingrand explains, “and also finding the right balance between traditional post rock, the addition of synths and machines and the texts for the film“.

As post rock as they come, Lost in Kiev’s new album is a journey into the unknown. A journey of wonderment and feeling with highs and lows delivered with confidence. The instrumental opener of Persona is an impressive combination of haunting depths and rockier heights. Taking us step by step through the world that Lost in Kiev occupy, one where we will want to stay for a long time yet.

The increasing tempo of Lifelooper twists and turns with other-worldly effects thrown in and The Incomplete’s morose rhythm is unnaturally compelling. A pair of tracks that are epic in imagination and scope but still subtle and pretty. The latter has this joyous speed at the end that you just can’t help but nod along with.

Unlike many other post related bands, Lost in Kiev keep a lot of their tracks at around the 5 minute mark. That’s unusual as you could be forgiven in expecting 9 plus minute ramblings as that is the norm. Keeping things short is both a good and bad thing. On the one hand it’s bite-sized chunks that never overstay their welcome but on the other, some end abruptly leaving you wanting just a little bit more.

For the most part, Lost in Kiev get it right such as the perfected XM3216, a really emotive listen or the heavier rhythm of Mindfiles.

If there is one track that gets a little lost, it’s Psyche. Sounding like a track from Silent Hill at first when it does increase in tempo it doesn’t go anywhere particularly interesting.

They make up for that misstep though with the synthy oddity that is Thumos. Energetic and exciting, it’s a highlight of an album that is filled with them. Post rock at its finest wrapped up in the cocoon of enlightening melodies and strong riffs.

Lost in Kiev – Persona Full Track Listing:

1. Persona
2. Lifelooper
3. The Incomplete
4. XM3216
5. Pygmalion
6. Mindfiles
7. Psyche
8. Thumos
9. Mecasocialis

Persona can be ordered now via Bandcamp. Find out more via Lost in Kiev’s Facebook Page, Twitter and YouTube.