Before going into this review let's take a step back.
HIM was a great band known for their goth atmosphere and the sharp music. Songs like "Wings of a butterfly" and "Join me" were in my playlist ALL THE TIME and made MTV history by being the most watched video at the time.
As a teenager I had my fair share of goth days and this band was the only one I would listen to for days but unfortunately, I was too young to go and see them performing live.
Then we kinda lost them for a while, I got older, I moved to a different country and HIM announced a farwell tour.
My heart was broken cause of their split but hey at least I had the chance to finally see them on their farwell tour, right? Wrong. Tickets were sold out in seconds.
I did meet Ville in a pretty random way though and sometimes, when I think about it, I still have doubts it actually happened as he came into the shop where I was working and I got to have a chat with him.
After a short period where Ville was involved in different projects, he decided to try a solo career and released his first solo album Neon Noir in 2023, thank you Mr. Valo, that was very much needed.
Here is my review of that album.
Echolocate Your Love
As I have been waiting for new music from Ville like many others, I was so incredibly surprised by this first song. You can definitely hear his style through the whole song but at the same time there is a new energy, a new vibe, the desire to celebrate something like love.
Run Away From The Sun
This is my favourite song out of this album (I might say this again about another song later on)
This song brings me back to that decadent, goth idea of love, the need of an escape, it's sweet, no better it's bittersweet and the lyrics will stay in your head for days.
Neon Noir
Once again, this man did not disappointed me, the atmosphere of this song feel like fog around you, it hugs your brain like a lullaby whispering a sad love story, almost a desperate need for love.
Loveletting
I have such a good memory tied to this song in particular, I kept listening to it on a loop while on my way to see VV live in Belgium.
It's sweet, it's comforting, it breaks your heart, it feels like dancing on the edge of the moment where you understand that maybe it's time to let go but you are not fully sure.
The Forever Lost
About this song I'm just gonna quote a piece of the lyrics cause I feel like that would say enough.
"Moondial it up, sundial it down
Come dance the decay now
Round n round
Suicide by love's night vision heart"
Baby Lacrimarium
Once again in this song you are pulled in a different word, wrapped by a nostalgic music and a story that talks about love using almost a poetry language almost.
Salute The Sanguine
Favourite song of this album (told ya), the music is just pleasing, pulls you to sing and dance bringing those dark tones that are a staples for VV.
It does remind me a lot of HIM music, at the same time Ville was, is and will forever be HIM.
In Trenodia
I love this song so much, it's nostalgic and speaks to me on deep level for some reason, I still have to name those reasons but I'm involved.
Ville's voice is unmistakable, the way he uses it one of a kind.
Saturnine Saturnalia
Most gloomy ballad of this album, romantic, the choruses are all in the right spot to get stuck in your head, the atmosphere brings you to a new reality and you can definitely feel like being at the show.
Zener Solitaire
This feels just like a little break to me, this was used as intro during the show and it only makes sense, this music creates that mysterious atmosphere, as if you just reached to a new dimension.
Vertigo Eyes
I see this song not just about love or falling in love with someone charming but almost about something poisoned, the lyrics are almost like a confused chatting with yourself.
When you can't really say if you are in love or you are conditioned by something or someone, and yet you can't really stop.
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