Modern Life Is Lonely, a case study into the human psyche?

Back in September Holding Absence released their 4th studio album: ‘Modern Life is Lonely’. This album is highly experimental with an entirely new sound and perspective; shifting from deep introspective lyrics to a much broader look at humanity. Added electronic elements change the game completely with this album and this band certainly does it right.

It has been 3 weeks since release and I have had this album on repeat. With the initial hype dying down, I have been able to immerse myself fully; absorbing every lyric, breakdown and scream. There’s a reason this album has stuck with me, and these are the some of the songs that stand to me out the most:

Reanimate, the opening track. This track has a light airiness to it, opening with serenity and the faint tweeting of birds. It’s a strong opener, carrying metaphors of growth and rebirth to paint such a beautiful picture of healing. Musically, it follows a pattern too between the past and present– with verses highlighting the past being much softer and sorrowful contrasting with the choruses having that signature Holding Absence grit. The breakdown in this song doesn’t come in until towards the end, but I do feel like it was placed incredibly well because it allows that theme to carry through and works with the energy built up throughout the song. This track also tells you what to expect in regards to the new direction that the band has taken with their sound.

Despite being the first track, I feel like it hasn’t gained the traction that it deserves. The lyricism is incredibly clever and the metaphors of nature match that bird motif from the very start of the track. Emotionally, listening feels like waking up as a new person and actively growing into a new version of yourself; arguably quite introspective yet highly relatable.

Modern Life Is Lonely- the album’s title track. This song is what gives the album that broader perspective and highlights issues in the world. As a society we have been tuned to be in this constant loop of chasing dopamine through the content we engage with on a daily basis. The electronic features of this album become so prominent with this song making sense by highlighting the dissonance between how something that’s so incredibly good can become addicting and ultimately ruin your life.

The composition for this song ties in the lyricism. The synths and electronic elements dominate and tone down that heaviness that can be heard in other songs on the album. In the bridge there is some distortion akin to the tuning of a radio which is followed by a strong breakdown. This can really be seen as breaking free from the confines of technology along with a display of frustration to convey the message within the song itself.

Often overlooked, the interludes stand out to me a lot with this album and I do find comfort in other albums that also share this format. I find that they help break the record up and pivot to other songs, a big tool in pushing the overall narrative along. The first interlude ‘shells_like_us.int’ is incredibly beautiful with the stripped back acoustics and melancholy lyrics, painting a picture of isolation and the loss of yourself. It’s a moment of quiet before being met with the brash sound of ‘Whisper Of A Dream’ which really drives home that feeling of isolation in such an overwhelming world.

The second interlude ‘lullaby.int’ really pulls you into that dreamscape and has a similar impact to ‘shells_like_us.int’. Again, it acts as a narrative piece, but conveys a slightly different message, almost signaling the end with heavy themes of grief and disconnect. The lyrics also circle back to ‘Reanimate’ with the nature elements; only this time instead of growth and rebirth it’s very much indicative of giving up. From a musical standpoint, this interlude also sets the stage perfectly for the final track ‘Kyoto Snow’.

‘Kyoto Snow’ closes out the album beautifully and brings you down to earth. Through its vivid imagery, ending that feeling of isolation whilst building something incredibly real– shifting away from an atmosphere which is highly technology focused. The lyrics do hold some ambiguity though, with that overwhelming fear of loss prevailing with hints of grief. Through all of this, there is a clear message of hope and determination: no matter the circumstances, the foundation of love is still solid.

This song does reintroduce those electronic and synth elements seen throughout the album still blending with that overarching theme. Post-hardcore elements emerge after that first chorus and build up as the song progresses, ultimately exploding towards the end. The outro really stands out the most, closing out the track with a powerful belted monologue. The delivery is spine-chillingly beautiful and adds depth to the emotional impact– showcasing a level of vulnerability that Woodland delivers well throughout this band’s discography.

Overall, I really do enjoy the new direction that Holding Absence have taken with this album. It is certainly ambitious, but it does align with the overall theming that is showcased within the lyricism within these songs. This album is about the world we live in and certainly drives home the reality that modern life is, in fact, incredibly lonely, especially when drawing into those feelings of love and isolation. The synths and electronic elements provide that cyberpunk edge that work in tandem with the heavy aspects that this band are known for, whilst also being used to create a sense of vivid imagery through their work. This album is an emotional journey from the opening of ‘Reanimate’ to those final notes of ‘Kyoto Snow’, and I highly encourage anyone to listen.