Indie-rock collective Lord Huron, led by Ben Schneider, makes a compelling return on their conceptual, third studio album, ‘Vide Noir.’

Lord Huron experienced a come-up in 2017, thanks totheir song, “The Night We Met”. “The Night We Met,” which appeared on 2015’s Strange Trails, became popular as a featured song on 13 Reasons Why. Frontman Ben Schneider and company use this success as ‘fuel for the fire’ for their highly-anticipated, conceptual third studio album, Vide Noir.  Vide Noir translates roughly as empty black (black void).

“Lost in Time and Space”

“Lost in Time and Space” successfully initiates Vide Noir, specifically referencing the translation lyrically (“Staring straight into the pure, black void”).  Beyond the “black void,” Ben Schneider, playing a character sings about losing his love and the extremes he’s gone to cope with the loss. “Never Ever” follows, led by a driving bass groove and quicker tempo than the opener.  Schneider’s vocals are coarse, amplified even more by the distortion effects. Once more, his character reminisces on the loss of love.

“Ancient Names”

Standout “Ancient Names, Pt. I” commences relatively slowly and enigmatically, musically portraying mysticism.  After the relaxed pace of the intro, the groove, tempo, and vocals kick in. The sound palette is a selling point, with guitar, bass, and drums, as well as keyboards and a variety of sound effects.  Narratively speaking, Schneider’s character goes to see a fortune teller and seems totally freaked out by the results.  On the chorus he asserts, “I gotta get away from here / I gotta get away from her.” Following the majority of “Ancient Names, Pt. I,” which ends up being rollicking and up-tempo, things mellow out and the pace slackens.  Despite the contrast, “Ancient Names” remains both captivating and mysterious.

Following the thrilling “Ancient Names, Pt. I,” Lord Huron keeps the momentum going on the brief, energetic “Ancient Names, Pt. II”, which commences abruptly. Vocally, it’s a bit difficult to decipher due to heavy vocal distortion. Schneider kicks things off with the chorus.  Fearing inevitable death, the verses focus on the protagonist’s existential crises.  The two verses, are short and sweet.

“I live my life like this

Just to prove to the world that I still exist

I don’t believe in life

And I won’t believe in death ‘til I die.”

“Wait by the River”

“Wait by the River” is a stunning record. Featuring a prominent bass line early-on, the old-school vibes are real. After an air of mysteriousness complementing the robust bass line, the full-fledged soulfulness kicks in.  That soulfulness includes marvelous use of upper register piano ostinato, straight from the vintage bag of tricks. As for frontman Schneider, he serves up cool, potent vocals.  Throughout the record, there are references to death (“Someday I’ll be dead and gone”), eternity (“I will cry to heaven / As it rains down on me”), and repentance (“I will beg for forgiveness”).

“Secret of Life” speeds up the tempo, switching from the major vibes of “Wait by the River” to a darker minor key.  Something noteworthy about this particular record is the amount of ‘space.’  There are plenty of lyrics, but Lord Huron also allows for ample room for instrumental ideas and passages to shine.  Speaking of space, as has been the case throughout Vide Noir, Schneider references the cosmos, darkness, and of course, death.

“Back from the Edge”

Empty black remains front and center on “Back from the Edge” from the jump:

“I came back from the edge – where you go when you die

I fell back down to Earth through a hole in the sky

I crashed into the sea, then somehow, I survived

Don’t know what to believe, but I know I’m alive.”

“Back from the Edge” is easily more triumphant in regards to sound compared to “Secret of Life.” The protagonist has come back from the dead. “The Balancer’s Eye” continues the enigma, intrigue, and mystic nature of Vide Noir.  Schneider speaks on inability to get into heaven, “the balancer’s eye” – whoever or whatever it might be, the universe, and a variety of existential issues. It’s a thought-provoking highlight that fits directly into the concept.

“When the Night is Over”

“When the Night is Over” ranks among the best of Vide Noir. Old-school vibes are alive in well, capped off by the lilting six-eight meter.  Overall, the production is simple, yet highly effective.  Schneider has plenty of room for his voice to breathe, never impeded by too many instruments or effects.  Again, he shines without being incredibly flashy vocally. Lyrically, the record is thoughtful and beautifully-penned.  Thematically, the protagonist is distressed about potentially never finding his lost love.

“The sun will rise above the hills / You will be leaving me soon, like hell you will.”  The protagonist dreams about his lost lover on the rhythmic, major key “Moonbeam.” Romantic, yet still black, Schneider sings, “And you wore nothing more than your ravenhair.” Despite the brightness of “Moonbeam” in key and the fact ‘love lost is found,’ Lord Huron sticks to the dark script of Vide Noir.

“Vide Noir”

Speaking of Vide Noir, title track “Vide Noir” arrives as the penultimate record. “Vide Noir” once more dabbles in the cosmic, life and death, as well as sin.

“Many evils have I enjoyed

Prowling the night raising hell with the boys

Getting high on a pure, black void.”

Finally, on “Emerald Star,” which is in a major key, there is resolution.  The protagonist realizes that she “never loved me” and proclaims himself “a fool.” Following the narrative of the album, his realizations seem to be spot-on.

Final Thoughts

As anticipated, Lord Huron serve up ample goods on their third album.  The conceptual Vide Noir has its fair share of stunning production – the vibe is almost always on-point.  Is the album always, 100% engaging without a yawn? Not always – sometimes the concept is a bit much.  But, the best moments are truly magnificent, and the majority of the album is compelling.

Gems: “Ancient Names, Pt. I,” “Wait by the River,” “The Balancer’s Eye,” “When the Night is Over” & “Moonbeam”

Lord Huron • Vide Noir • Republic • Release: 4.20.18

Photo Credit: Republic