Voyager used to be a hidden gem, a best-kept secret of sorts. Now, they seem to be everywhere. After Eurovision and major tours, it has been a pleasure to watch them grow. Some have claimed that the band has changed in order to fit that format, but I disagree. Their new album Fearless in Love released on July 14th, and I see it as their definitive album.
Voyager come to us from Australia, and they have been at it for a long time, since 1999. It’s about time that they get some love. The current lineup is Daniel Estrin on keys and vocals, Simone Dow and Scott Kay on guitars, Alex Canion on bass, and Ashley Doodkorte on drums.
Here’s the thing about Voyager: their sound has never really been that complicated. They play New Wave progressive metal. That means we get the melody, personality, and color of 80s New Wave pop/rock mixed with the theatrics, heaviness, complexity, and structures of progressive metal. Their Australian flair is front and center, especially in Daniel’s voice, and they have a ton of energy and spirit. They are simply a fun band.
Some have opined the band’s more recent changes, though. Voyager has started including more keys, fewer “progressive” passages, and shorter songs. For me, though, the band is simply tightening their sound into a more concise and stronger format. All of their strengths are still here and being celebrated more than ever. The melody, the light, the powerful metal drive, and the personality are all here and accounted for, and each one has been cultivated generously. Everything I’ve ever liked about them is here and better than ever.
Sure, I love their older stuff. The Meaning of I back in 2011 is where I discovered them, and that album is still wonderful, though I’d admit now that it meanders somewhat. V in 2014 is such a fun album, as is the deeply complex Ghost Mile from 2017. Colours in the Sun from 2019 is my favorite, though, and I think it is because their evolution began there; the band started to realize which aspects of their sound were the best and brightest, and they focused on them. Fearless in Love is the result of veteran musicians pruning their sound into something truly special.
The album has 11 songs and they range from great to outstanding. You will recognize such singles as the incredibly catchy “Dreamer”, the burning keys and guitars of “Prince of Fire”, and the groovy slowburn and payoff of “Promise”, one of my favorites. I love how the band adds subtle synth touches that pay out huge dividends in melody and memorability. Those singles prove that.
There are even better songs, though. The opener “The Best Intentions” is amazing; I adore the chorus and how off kilter it is, and it is simply a terrific way to open an album. “The Lamenting” is another fantastic piece with its walls of guitars and searing synth atmosphere; that one could easily become my favorite overall. “Listen” is melodic and laden with hooks. It actually reminds of something from their Meaning of I album, and I think Danny’s vocals are top notch here. The closer, “Gren (Fearless in Love)”, is a grower, too, with how personal and epic it sounds. I love the last few minutes as keys collide with riffs, and Danny sings his heart out. To have such a great opener and closer on an album is always a great sign.
Voyager are poised for success, and I’m here for it. They have refined the best parts of their music into something fun, challenging, and artistic all at the same time, and they have the highest energy I’ve ever seen for a band over 20 years old. Fearless in Love is a bold statement, and one that deserves your attention.
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The PROG Mind 