Album Of The Year 2021 – Number 11

Welcome to Day 20 of my Album Of The Year 2021 Top 30 Countdown series. That means that this annual labour of love is now two-thirds complete already. I can’t quite believe it, but that’s the situation. I’m still really enjoying putting this together and I hope so of you are enjoying the daily updates as I get closer to the top ten albums of 2021.

If you’re new to the series, please feel free to check out all the links at the bottom of this post – you’ll be able to check out all of this year’s picks so far as well as those from previous years should you be so inclined.

But, with that out of the way, here’s the next album in my list…

Number 11

Frost*

“Day And Age”

InsideOut Music

Release Date: 14 May 2021

Score Of Much Metal: 95%

Hands down, this record has been one the biggest surprises of 2021 for me. Not in the sense that they were an unknown entity about which I knew nothing. No, ‘Day And Age’ surprised me because I wasn’t expecting to like it that much. I really didn’t warm to their previous release, the 2020 EP entitled ‘The Others’. And I was never the biggest fan of their previous material either, certainly not to the extent that the music might feature in my top 30.

However, right off the bat, my feelings towards ‘Day And Age’, the latest and greatest album from Frost* were markedly different. And what’s more, these feelings have not dimmed throughout the year either.

This is an incredibly mature, intelligent record, full of great songs that only get better; warmer, more immersive, catchier, ‘Day And Age’ sees this group of talented musicians at the very top of their game. As a fan of the heavier end of the musical spectrum, I also like the fact that some of the music on this album has real teeth. Chunky guitar sounds, strong drumming from the guest musicians that they invited along for the ride, and moments where the music veers nicely towards metal territory – these sections then seamlessly and effortlessly flow into other ideas and soundscapes, more progressive, pop-like or downright strange. And yet even these ‘strange’ elements sound compelling.

Every time I listen to ‘Day And Age’, I like it a little more. And that’s why it thoroughly deserves its lofty position in my 2021 list. Marvellous.

What I wrote at the time:

“Frost* are renowned and loved for their ability to blend progressive rock music with unashamed pop sensibilities and a bright, modern edge. So to say that the music is dark may seem to be a far fetched notion for many. However, whilst there is an audible edge to some of the music itself, it is mainly within the lyrical content that ‘Day And Age’ is at its darkest.

…each song is blessed with quality across the board; excellent songwriting craft, superb instrumentalism, and obvious hunger and passion.

...I’m almost shocked by the strength of the melodies that liberally litter ‘Day And Age’. Many will cite ‘Milliontown’ or maybe ‘Experiments In Mass Appeal’ as their favourite by Frost*, but as far as I’m concerned, ‘Day And Age’ pushes them close. Actually I’m fairly certain, despite this being early days, that this might be their very best yet…

I cannot find a single song that I dislike, even the more jagged and confrontational ‘Terrestrial’ that dials back slightly from the melodies in favour of bolder, weirder, and more challenging sounds.

What a revelation. Frost* have always been an admired entity as far as I was concerned, but never fully embraced and loved. I would strongly suggest that this has changed with the creation of ‘Day And Age’, because I do love this record. And it’s a love that has emerged in spite of the fact that, on paper, this shouldn’t be the kind of music to make me giddy and excited to such an extent. But, as I’ve said elsewhere in this review, everything is of the very highest order here: the musicianship, the song writing, the clarity of purpose, and a bucketload of memorable hooks, catchy choruses, and stunning melodies. This is pop-infused, synth-laden progressive rock of the very highest order and I’m thoroughly blown away.”

Read the full review here.