Sea Power Doesn't Quite Reinvent Themselves In Dropping The "British" Part Of Their Name

The collective formerly known as 'British Sea Power' saw an opportunity to shake things up when reflecting on their association with centuries of colonization perpetuated in their home country. Since the early 2000s, they have always raged against the powers that be in their own quiet, subtle way (their first album, after all, is called The Decline of British Sea Power). However, the sentiment of anti-nationalism has never been more than a passing element in Sea Power's music.

How does all of this affect Sea Power's eighth album, entitled Everything Was Forever? Not that much, as it turns out, but over the course of the record, they demonstrate that their group's continued existence still has plenty of merit. The newest music from this 21st-century indie staple has become less eccentric over the years, but their 80s and 90s indie influences have certainly coalesced into a sound Sea Power can call their own.

With more energy and cinematic tendencies than almost ever before, Everything Was Forever is a pretty effortless listen. One could argue that it's not the most immediate album, but the single-worthy songs do stand out amid album tracks that will sustain most listeners' interests, especially those subscribed to Arcade Fire-type rock music. 'Two Fingers,' with its memorably repeated bombastic chant, will stick in fan's ears and probably convince casual listeners to focus on the subtle directions that Sea Power take on each track. In essence, it's the perfect mid-level album, both emotionally-invested enough to keep fans happy and mood-sustaining enough to attract new listeners to this new era of Sea Power.

Rating: 7/10

★★★★★★★☆☆☆