Underoath fans won’t be disappointed with the band’s latest addition to their discography, Lost in the Sound of Separation, which offers no shortage of lyrical curiosity and pounding, harmonized instrumental components to match. Despite obvious growth in the band, their newest album feels as though it is a continuation of their 2006 release, Define the Great Line. The all-around hardness of the record continues the direction in which Underoath began to head, but is fittingly accompanied by softer melodies.
The underlying theme to nearly every track on Sound of Separation is desolation and hope. This is seamlessly displayed in “We Are the Involuntary,” harking lyrics like “A falling of man / We are all lost in the sound of separation / Hands in the air and love at our sides / There’s gotta be something bigger,” which bring to light questions for all of humanity (or at least those listening) to consider. Carrying on this theme of hopelessness with a silver lining is the track “Emergency Broadcast: The End is Near,” one of the heavier tracks on the album. Vocally, it gives off an eerie, almost ghostly feel in its calls for hope in the form of background chanting and haunting orchestrated melodies.
All in all, Lost In The Sound of Separation is a gleaming example of a band deep in contemplation, stuck in a maze of philosophical and desolate questions, none of which are given an answer. Fortunately, from these questions rose a perfectly balanced album that reflects every bit of contrasting hope/hopelessness in its music. Underoath keeps it raw and compelling, making for an all around pleasing album once again.