Two warnings for those of you thinking about indulging in Laurel Halo’s Chance of Rain: Your brain will most likely hurt after listening to this masterpiece and lock the doors to your place of living because you may mysteriously end up on the roof once it’s all over.
I originally prepared myself by test-driving Halo’s first studio album, Quarantine, and was delighted with the laid-back synth paired with Halo’s dreamy vocals. I was in for quite a surprise when encountering some of the most eccentric, out-of-this-world beats known to man and the absence of a vocal presence on Chance of Rain. However, after a few listens and some of the weirdest daydreams I may ever have, the album has grown on me. Songs like “Melt” and “Ainnome” give off a “tripping on acid through a parallel dimension” vibe. “Oneiroi” and “Still/Dromos” make you feel like you’re in a smoky German nightclub at 5 a.m.
Getting used to some of Halo’s more hectic musical visions is no easy task. Not everyone will enjoy the way the album alternates between synthesized ambiance and disorienting beats. Some of the rhythmic progressions like that of “Serendip” definitely made me feel uncomfortable and are still hard to get used to, but it’s worth listening to them all the way through. It’s easy to skip to the next song during some of these strange, space-y styles, but if you keep listening, Halo usually rewards listeners with some tranquilizing melodies towards the end of her songs.
If you manage to look past the avant-garde style Halo uses in Chance of Rain, you will find the album to be surprisingly enjoyable. Though these songs may not be the best choice for your family reunion or your walk to class, they can offer a great listening experience when in the right mood. Not everyone finds these instrumental, otherworldly beats appealing, but those who do will really appreciate Halo’s masterpiece.
Grade: A-
