Some albums are worth the wait. And even if you’ve heard multiple singles through the years, they still hit hard and feel fresh when the album finally arrives. That is the case for the debut album from LOR3L3I. Peace by Proxy released on May 1st after years of anticipation, and I love it.
LOR3L3I is the solo project from Heike Langhans, known for her work with ISON, Draconian, Remina, Light Field Reverie, Sojourner, and more. Through the years, she has become my favorite lyricist ever. All music is by Heike, except some guitars by Mike Lamb on one track.
Back in 2020, Heike released her LOR3L3I demo collection on a two-CD set. You can still buy it digitally. This nineteen-track album has become a comfort record for me, taking us through vivid dreams and universal realities and more. Yes, I would love to have seen certain songs make the cut for the debut, yet I also think they were perfect in their demo form, too. Alas, I’m glad Peace by Proxy has exactly the songs it has.
The music here is darkwave, unapologetically electronic, atmospheric, beat-heavy at times, and full of rhythmic witchcraft. It feels both 80s and brand new, dark and haunted, but also harmonious, elegant, and warm. At the center of the music is Heike’s fantastic vocal performance, full of emotion and character.
Peace by Proxy is yet another terrific outing for Heike’s lyrics. I have long found her writing to be comforting in the most cosmic ways possible, and I love how she often writes songs for memorable books, films, or video games. On this album, you’ll hear songs about broken relationships, the video game Cyberpunk 2077, awakening, astral truths, plus a particularly emotional track saying goodbye to deceased friends. In some ways, the lyrics feel like a peek into Heike’s mental journal.
The album has ten songs and I love them all. Now, if you’ve been following the project, you’ll already know three of them: “Passive Resistance”, “Oneiro”, and “Fables”. These tracks feel completely new nestled within the tracklist. “Passive Resistance” is still a favorite with its warm ambience, gentle beat, and addictive chorus. There is actually a Remina version available, too, and I recommend tracking it down. “Oneiro” reminds me of an ISON track, being full of stars and endless atmosphere. I never tire of it. “Fables” is interesting to me because the original had no beat and had a longer intro, which I confess I still prefer, but I love that Heike added the beat, and I think this version is superior overall, as the beat accentuates the haunting rhythms.
That leaves seven new tracks. In the first half, we get “Cloak of Stars”, a vivid and spunky piece with an excellent contrast between surging verses and a punctuated chorus. We get “Black Widow”, a new favorite with a head-bobbing rhythm and foreboding lyrics. I can’t get enough. One other new track in this half is “Exogenesis”, another favorite with some truly gorgeous synth work and a catchy chorus. It took a couple listens for me, but I was sold soon enough.
The second half has four new tracks. First up is “Drive”, the Cyperpunk 2077 track. I absolutely adore the Blade Runner vibes, the flowing head-thrown-back feelings, and the fantastic synth. Such a terrific track. Next is “Rogue”, one that is quickly moving up my list of favorites. This one has some biting lyrics; it feels very personal and expressive. I can only imagine what led to these lyrics.
The final two songs are amazing. The title track is a hovering beauty with lyrics that really connect with me, a sort of encouragement to find peace so we and the universe can move on. The closer is “Opaline Tears”, a tribute to her fallen friends, and it is every bit as tender and moving as you’d expect. Yet, as warm and expressive as it feels, it is such a listenable song, too, especially with the guitars coming in near the end to add a definitive period to the album.
I’ve been looking forward to LOR3L3I’s debut for many years, and it does not disappoint. I love every single track and the lyrics are exceptional, as always. I love that the singles released over the years feel alive as ever. I love the feelings of cosmic cold, human warmth, and otherworldly beauty. Fans of Heike’s or of any exquisitely dark music should give this a shot.
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Find LOR3L3I online:
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