Brighter Than A Thousand Suns: Flux (2014) – EP Review

Normally I love EPs. They are short and sweet and to the point and give you just enough. However, and only speaking in the best way, with the new EP Flux by Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, I am torn between love and pure hatred! I absolutely love the EP because on first listen it gives you this beautiful mix of ambient, alternative, and almost mystical sounds and grabs you with sensational lyrics. My pure hatred comes from the fact that there isn’t more! The tease from this EP is unbelievable. I am locked at the edge of my seat waiting for more!

Flux kicks off on a high, upbeat note with the featured single “Fearless.” This is a great tune to kick off with; its high energy, engaging lyrics, and overall feel leaves you in a satisfied and almost euphoric state. Angelika’s voice really draws you in. She’s got a gorgeous lyrical range and a sound that brings me back to early Nightwish albums. She’s got a very iconic sound that is hauntingly beautiful. I have always been a huge fan of bands led by strong female vocals. When I listen to “Fearless” I feel inspired. The lyrics are so positive and driven. I can easily see influence from bands like Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, Nightwish, and Nine Inch Nails. This song takes my vote for the best piece on Flux.

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns continues on to “Vessels,” which is another vocal masterpiece. I really enjoy the depth and personal connection to the lyrics. There is a clear vulnerability and honesty to them that is refreshing to hear. I feel like I can relate and that draws me in deeper. I like how the band balances between the chaotic nature of alternative trance and the delicate whimsical nature of strong lyrics driven by ambiance and house.

“Suffering Is Not Enough” is an expertly crafted mix of pain and pleasure; it’s an entrancing dance between hope and despair. This song really showcases Angelika’s vocal range. She grabs you with her potent brand of lyrical power and poise. This is a song I’d love to see them perform live. I feel like the amount of emotion that would go into a live performance would be mind-blowing. There is a strong theme of personal struggle in the lyrics highlighted by: “Nothing seems to change, when it matters most.” I think almost everyone can relate to these lyrics. I will say again how nice it is to see such raw honesty and vulnerability in the lyrics.

The fourth and last song on Flux is “We Stopped Dreaming.” I don’t think they could have picked a better song to wrap up the EP with than this one. It’s absolutely beautifully composed with hypnotic beats, whimsical undertones, and an overall dream like theme. This song reminds me a lot of the band Saosin (who happens to be one of my favorite artists). As I listen, I notice more and more that they share the same distant, dream-like hypnotic sound and story-like lyrical structure. I got a bit lost in this song, and I really enjoyed that. When it was over it left me feeling really peaceful. The lyrics are a bit sadder and really reach out to the notion of hope in spite of hardship. I feel like I need to hold onto my dreams and find a positive note in everything I do after listening to this song. I feel very richly inspired.

The Verdict:

Overall, I give Brighter Than a Thousand Suns' Flux a 5/5. The vocals, the music, and the general tone of the whole EP is magical. It’s refreshing to be pulled in, engaged, and left wanting more. I for one cannot wait to hear what they come out with next. I am incredibly impressed with this group and will be searching out more of their work. If you are looking for a great musical journey, I urge you to check out this EP when it goes live on May 6, 2014.