Electronic Utopia

Like All Before You album cover

“Like All Before You”, is defined by its cover, the title shoved unapologetically into the corner to make way for the surreal landscape of a pale eye crying silver tears.

Released on Sep. 20, 2024 the Voidz’ third studio album, “Like All Before You”, is defined by its cover, the title shoved unapologetically into the corner to make way for the surreal landscape of a pale eye crying silver tears. Formed in 2014 by The Strokes’ lead singer Julian Casablancas, the band has been on a mission to bring new, edgy sound to a wider audience. 

At times both melancholic and aggravated, the signature sound of the indie rock band is defined by its surrealness, something that “Like All Before You” embodies easily. Every track on the newest album bleeds electronic emotion, from the slower tone of “7 Horses” to the angry “Prophecy of the Dragon.”

The lyrics of the most standout songs dredge images of distinctive other worlds to the front of your mind. In the second-to-last track, “When Will the Time of These Bastards End”, Casablancas’ voice and the ensemble of guitar, bass and keys combine to make that picture even clearer, telling a story in itself.

Maintaining a consistent sound, or vibe across albums is one of the harder things a band can do, but also one of the most rewarding for a longtime audience. The Voidz, created seemingly as an alternative answer to its more popular older brother, The Strokes, have kept up their style since their first release in 2014.

Listeners of previous Voidz albums will find themselves at home in “Like All Before You”, with its flowing electronics and the depth of its lyrics detailing stories of grief and unreality. From 2014’s album “Tyranny”, “Virtue” in 2018, and now “Like All Before You” in 2024, the songs hold the same captivating audio and imagery.

Listening to a Voidz album is deciding to go on an adventure, taking the plunge into a new world of music. Of course, “Like All Before You” also brings something new to the table, in the form of tonal shifts between juxtaposing tracks that give the album its own character.

One of the best songs on the album, “7 Horses”, exemplifies that character with low, haunting vocals and a willingness to go outside of the norm in everything else. The song creates the most well-defined picture of any Voidz’ song to date, the singer crying about Hell and time. The album manages to be complete by itself, while also carrying the standard set by The Voidz’ earlier releases.

Their first studio album since 2018, “Like All Before You” is a welcome addition to the band’s growing repertoire, filled with new, memorable songs all unique in their own right, just like The Voidz themselves.