Thought Leadership

IV Of Cups gathers a run of ethereal, guitar-led pieces that lean firmly toward post-punk and nocturnal dream-pop. Compared to earlier, lighter material, this collection favours weight and tension: big, layered guitars, punchy low-end and bass lines that frequently step forward as the main melodic voice.

The record unfolds with a strong emotional through-line. Across the opening run of tracks, shifting moods of angst, joy, love, regret and release often collide within a single piece. Opener ‘XXI’ sets the tone with tumbling minor-key guitar figures stacked high in the mix, distant but insistent drums, and a later section where the bass breaks free into a soaring melodic role. There’s a clear lineage to classic, melancholic guitar music, but the focus is on atmosphere and movement rather than homage.

As the album progresses, darker and more angular textures emerge. Sharp harmonic turns, arpeggiated patterns and subtly gothic tones add tension and unease, expanding the palette while keeping the guitars front and centre. The closing stretch shifts into longer, semi-improvised forms, slowly building ideas over extended durations. Details are introduced patiently, culminating in moments of warmth and release that balance the album’s heavier edges.