A sonic deep dive: The Depth Beneath Us makes waves with "Descent"
- Pat O Regan
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Depth Beneath Us – Descent
Release Date: 01-08-2025
Released on vinyl by: Dunk Pressing
You need something a little special to stand out from the masses these days. Dedication, hard work and graft are all essential ingredients in growing as a band and generating a fanbase, but no matter how hard you work, you need talent! When I heard the debut, self-titled album from The Depth Beneath Us at the back end of 2022, I had a feeling that these guys were here for the long haul. As first albums go, it was a well-polished collection of tracks that showcased the energy and the competence in what they were trying to achieve. That vast and vivid soundscape of theirs was a crisp, sharp and powerful place to find yourself in. Also, having interviewed the guys not long after, I got to understand their personalities and could clearly see why The Depth Beneath Us have been so warmly embraced by the post music community.
And so we finally arrive at the dreaded sophomore album, and all that it brings! The pressure, the fear and the uncertainty of where it will go! Well, with Descent, The Depth Beneath Us have crafted an album that sits very comfortably, shoulder to shoulder with every other well respected second album. Descent is a compelling testament to the band’s growth and adventurous spirit within the realms of post-music. With four tracks already released, including the sprawling title track Descent, the album promises a deeply textured and emotionally resonant experience for the listener. To quote guitarist, Matt Rockman, “the album illustrates a journey through the universal experience of conflict in its many forms. Everywhere you look, there is a nearly unprecedented level of oppression and antagonism in the world now, we tried to hold these experiences of conflict in mind while writing, whether societal, interpersonal, or romantic”.
Opening with Trust Thermocline, I’m catapulted post-haste into the throes of a sprawling, meticulously layered post-rock landscape. Flashes of If These Trees Could Talk hit me immediately, along with the math-rock vibes of And So I Watch You From Afar. The energy they bring, and that uplifting spirit is like an instant adrenaline shot. It’s positive vibes and glorious melody has you immediately invested in the album. Cluster B continues with more intricate and masterful guitar work. Delicate strings shimmer and sparkle over subtle, brooding bass lines and ambient washes, creating a fragile tension that gradually builds without overwhelming. It’s a track that balances beauty with unease, evoking the complex layers of human emotion.
My own personal favourite, Head And The Transient Love is a track that epitomizes everything I love about this band. Clever, intricate musicianship, fast, frequent tempo changes, multi layered and multi-dimensional sweeps, it has it all. There is also a strong God Is An Astronaut feel to it which again is testament as to how highly I rate the band!
Other tracks like Apollonian shifts the mood with a sense of vividness and clarity. Its soaring melodies and expansive dynamics bring a brighter, more hopeful energy to the album. The track’s slow-building crescendos feel almost soothing, like a shard of light amidst the shadows. With 117B the band introduce a more urgent, rhythmically complex sound. Jagged guitar riffs and driving percussions combine with delicate electronic textures, injecting a kinetic energy and a restlessness into the mix. It’s a bold track that stands out with its unexpected 70’s old school guitar solo and its stubborn, propulsive momentum.
The title track, Descent is the album’s emotional gravity well. Clocking in at over seven minutes, it’s a patient and immersive slow burner. The band layers big, bold atmospheres with great weight, letting each moment breathe before crashing into these towering, thunderous peaks. Guitars bend and echo while drums strike with a real sense of inevitability. It’s as much a psychological descent as it is a sonic one, with each and every one of your senses on high alert.
Ending with a wonderfully calming piece of music, the final track Closure, literally brings closure on an album that sees The Depth Beneath Us’ sounding more refined and more emotionally charged than ever before. Cinematic in scope, unflinching in mood, and unafraid to dwell in new territory, Descent is an album that occasionally treads softly but ultimately strikes deeply.